El Bayadh-Djelfa Rail Project to Link Four Wilayas
Algeria has revealed plans for a new 265.5-kilometer high-speed railway line designed to connect the wilaya of El Bayadh to Djelfa, traversing Aflou and Laghouat. The technical specifications for this infrastructure project were presented during a recent meeting chaired by Noureddine Belaribi, the Wali of El Bayadh, with representatives from the National Agency for the Study and Monitoring of Railway Investments (Anesrif) and other relevant services in attendance.
The proposed railway line will initially feature a single track, though its engineering structures are being designed to accommodate a second track in the future. It is intended for both passenger and goods transport, with passenger trains set to reach speeds of 220 km/h and freight trains capable of 100 km/h. Technical details include a standard gauge of 1,435 mm, prestressed reinforced concrete sleepers, a diesel-electric traction system, and an axle load capacity of 22.5 tonnes.
The 265.5-kilometer route will extend across four wilayas. Within El Bayadh, the line will cover 92 kilometers, originating from the El Bayadh station (currently under construction as part of the Mécheria-El Bayadh project) and including a stop at the airport and Boualem station. It then proceeds through Laghouat for 93.6 kilometers, featuring a stop at Bouzertala and stations at Brida and Aflou. The final segment, stretching 79.4 kilometers through Djelfa, will serve El Idrissia and Douis stations before connecting with the Djelfa-Laghouat project at Aïn El Ibel.
This new railway link is poised to enhance connectivity across several localities in the Hauts Plateaux, significantly facilitating the movement of passengers and the transport of goods between the involved regions. During the presentation, the Wali of El Bayadh emphasized the need for strengthened coordination among the design office, Anesrif, and various technical departments to address specific considerations, including land use plans, urban development in El Bayadh, and flood protection for the airport and city. The study is slated for re-presentation following the resolution of these points.
