The Egyptian government is hoping to speed up construction of Cairo's third Metro line so as to unveil the project by 2013. The third Metro line was originally slated for completion in 2019.
Transportation Minister Alaa Fahmy said the issue was currently being negotiated with the Japanese firm in charge of the project.
When completed, the third Metro line will extend from the Imbaba district in northwest Cairo to Heliopolis in the city's northeast. Eventually, the third line is expected to extend to Cairo International Airport.
Fahmy told reporters on Wednesday that the ministry also had plans to establish several new management and maintenance firms in an effort to provide stepped-up service to passengers. He added that Cairo's third line was intended to serve some 1.5 million passengers daily, which would help reduce the capital's notorious traffic congestion.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
