Ethiopia launches the construction of its biggest railway.

The government will be spending an average of 6 billion Birr per year for construction of the railway. According to the Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC), the construction would generate employment opportunity for over 300 thousand citizens.

Of course, Ethiopia is not new to train transport; nor is train transport foreign to Ethiopia. The two have had a century-old relations. Despite such a long tie, the poor train transport service in the country had, once, disrupted completely. At present, however, the service appears to have revived with modern technology by far better than the former.

Constructed in two phases, the new railway would link people in all corners of the country. According to Dr. Getachew Betru, Director General of ERC, the railway would stretch out in eight different directions across the country. Five railway tracks will be constructed in the first phase of the project.

In addition, the Addis Ababa light train project would extend from Ayat to Torhayloch Hospital joining the east to the west, the north to the south, and Dagmawi Minilik street to Kaliti main road. Dr. Getachew said the railway construction has two dimensions.

The new 317km railway would stretch from Addis Ababa to Me’eso town in Afar state crossing the rugged terrain. Chinese Company called CRGC will construct the railway.

ERC Board Chair, Hailemariam Desalegn said the railway would help sellers and consumers transact swiftly and at reasonable cost. The first phase of the project is expected to create over 300 thousand jobs. The government will spend 5 to 7 billion Birr annually for the project.