Starting second phase of developing Pyramids area project

Egypt State Information Service

Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni toured on Sunday 19/10/2008 the second phase of the Pyramids plateau development project.

He was accompanied by Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawwas.

The second stage of the Ministry of Culture's project involves lighting works, road and sidewalk paving, the development of the Sphinx area and the construction of offices for employees.

Hosni called for the need to set a specific date for the conclusion of the project's second stage which is to be followed by the third and final stage.

The surrounding slum area will also be developed in cooperation with the Giza Governorate.

The project's first stage was opened in August this year. The first stage of the LE 300 million project included building electronic gates, an 18.5km-long security wall fitted with cameras to monitor the tourist area.

The works also involved sophisticated explosive detectors and magnetic tickets machines. According to Hawwas, electric transport vehicles will move tourists and visitors from the parking lots to the archeological sites of the area.