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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 September 1999 Issue No. 446 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 September 1999 Issue No. 446
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Focus Culture Features Books Special Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Beating congestion
By Gihan ShahineThe Ministry of Interior began deploying new police patrols earlier this month in an effort to improve traffic flow and lessen chaos on the streets of Cairo. The new force, which is undergoing a two-week trial period, comprises highly trained officers and policemen in distinctive uniform, 111 motorcycles, 27 vehicles, 21 tow-trucks and 19 speed-guns based at various police stations. The force will officially begin operating as of mid-October, covering all the main streets of Greater Cairo.
The patrols come under an independent command that functions directly under the supervision of the security chiefs of Cairo and Giza. In addition to unclogging the perennial traffic jams, the patrols will also enforce discipline on the streets, clamping down on acts of thuggery -- a phenomenon that has mushroomed during the past few years.
During the trial phase, the new patrols have already been active. On Sunday night a group of young men were stopped by a patrol car in Heliopolis for harassing a young lady walking home. "It has become difficult for women to walk on the streets without being harassed, but I hope that greater discipline and security will be achieved with such forces around," said victim Safa'.
According to the latest traffic statistics, the number of licensed cars in Egypt stands around 3 million. Cairo gets the lion's share with 1.3 million. A further half a million cars shuttle to the capital every day.
photo: Saad Fag El-Nour
