Alstom, a global leader in the world of power generation and rail infrastructure, said it has won contracts worth around €190 million ($212 million) from Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) to supply a signalling and telecommunications system and infrastructure for the third phase of Cairo Metro line 3 currently under construction.

The Line 3 of Cairo Metro is scheduled to be fully completed in early 2022.

Cairo’s metro, in which three million passengers ride every day, is set to carry about five million by 2020. The 78-km-long metro network includes two complete lines, with a third partially open due to construction in different phases.

This line, in the next phase of construction, will see an extra 17.7 km and 15 stations added. Once extended, line 3 will be able to carry over 1.5 million passengers per day, said Alstom in its statement.

Alstom will provide its signalling solution Urbalis including Iconis at the operating control centre as well as point machines and station signalling equipment. The solution will enable safe, fluid and comfortable journeys to commuters and a short headway between trains.

The company will also provide electromechanical equipment including power substations to feed the third rail, ventilation system and elevators/escalators. This equipment will provide high safety and comfort to passengers.

"We are pleased that NAT has entrusted Alstom with these new contracts. These new projects will undoubtedly strengthen our partnership with NAT that started more than 30 years ago. We are committed to accompany our customer in the further development of Cairo’s metro network to meet the growing demand for mobility," remarked Gian-Luca Erbacci, the senior VP of Alstom for Middle East and Africa region.

Alstom has provided Metropolis trains as well as infrastructure, signalling and services solutions for lines 1 and 2 of Cairo Metro and has been awarded phases 1, 2 and 4a of line 3.

The company was awarded a contract to modernise the signalling systems on the regional railway line from Beni Suef to Asyut, added Erbacci.-TradeArabia News Service