PM lays cornerstone for mega-rail project

Addis Ababa, 19 February 2015 (WIC) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Wednesday laid the cornerstone for the Mekelle- Hara Gebeya – Woldia railway project linking the North and North East part of the country Tajura port in Djibouti.

Built by the China Communication Company, the 220km electrified railway will be constructed with an outlay of $1.5 billion over 42 months.

PM Hailemariam said the railway, which will stretch to the southeast as far as Tajura in Djibouti, will further enhance the integration of Horn of Africa states.

"The project is very significant both socially and economically," he said.