The Bechar-Tindouf-Gara Djebilet railway line will be operational by September 2026.

To fully exploit this reserve of over 3.5 billion tons of iron ore, Algeria has embarked on establishing supporting infrastructure, the most significant being the transportation of the extracted iron ore from this remote region to sites specially designed for its processing and transformation. In this regard, a massive project to construct a railway line spanning 950 km from the Gara Djebilet mine to Tindouf and Bechar was launched. The project, slated for completion in September 2026, is progressing at a steady pace. Speaking on the matter, project director Abdechafi Benrabia announced an advancement rate of over 15% across all sections.

The project is divided into three phases: the first, covering a distance of 200 km from Bechar to the borders with Beni Abbès, includes two railway stations at Abadla and Hammaguir. The second section connects Tindouf to Oum Laâssel over 175 km, featuring a new railway station at Oum Laâssel and two others for passenger and freight transport in Tindouf. Finally, the third section is divided into two parts: the first links Hammaguir to Oum Laâssel over 440 km with stations at Tabelbala and Hassi Khebi, while the second extends from Tindouf to Gara Djebilet over 135 km, with a railway station at Gara Djebilet.

Mr. Benrabia expressed confidence that the completion of this railway line, crucial for the development of the Gara Djebilet mega-project, will meet the set deadlines, aligning with the commencement of production from one of the world's largest iron ore deposits. Consequently, this line holds significant economic importance for the entire region, serving as a vital means of transporting passengers and goods, particularly various metals and raw materials extracted from the Gara Djebilet mine and adjacent regions, to the port of Arzew (Oran). He affirmed, "The country's top authorities attach great importance to reducing the completion time of this strategic project and delivering it on schedule."

Dong Ly, CEO of CRCC: "We have mobilized all resources"

Moreover, the Chinese party responsible for constructing over 500 km of this railway project assures that it has mobilized all necessary resources to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe set during the contract award. Speaking on this matter, Dong Ly, the CEO of the Chinese CRCC group, stated, "The group has mobilized human and material resources to accelerate the pace of project implementation. We have even brought equipment from China for this purpose."

The project is seen as a driver of national economic development, hence the government's insistence on completing all accompanying infrastructure works within the specified deadlines.