ALGIERS – Wednesday, 13 December 2023 (APS) – In 2023, the National Agency for Studies and Monitoring of Investments (ANESRIF) has put into service more than 700 km of railway track, while continuing to receive major projects next year, in line with the instructions of President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in order to develop and extend the network of railway lines and to strengthen local development.
Among the main projects commissioned this year is the line inaugurated by the President of the Republic last October, linking Boughezoul (Médéa)-Djelfa-Laghouat, over a distance of 250 km and at a speed of 220 km/h, which is part of the trans-Saharan line, Director of Information at ANESRIF, Mazar Abdelkader, told APS.
The current year has also witnessed the inauguration of the 290 km Tissemsilt-Boughezoul-M’sila line, which is one of the sections of the high plateaux ring road, crossing the provinces of M’sila, Médéa, Djelfa, Tiaret and Tissemsilt at speeds of 160km/h.
This includes 7 modern stations equipped with the necessary facilities to guarantee passenger comfort and two combined (passenger and freight) stations in Boughezoul and Tissemsilt, and a train maintenance workshop.
2023 has also witnessed the commissioning of the Saïda-Frenda (Tiaret) line at speeds of up to 160 km/h over a 120 km/h distance, as well as the completion of the 50 km line linking the port of Djendjen and the Bellara steelworks complex (W. Jijel).
All these projects have helped to “open up” several regions and attract investors, after guaranteeing “low-cost” transport, said the official, citing the equipping of new lines with modern signalling and communication systems.