Cairo: Construction of the new channel along the Suez Canal has only just begun, but is already mired in controversy. The development is led by the nation’s military and local reports suggest water has flooded the construction site twice this week, and experts say the cost of the project is likely to be far higher than the government has indicated. Since the new channel is being built so close to the existing one – just 750 m apart – water seepage is inevitable, experts have warned.
The new canal will allow two-way traffic and, say Egyptian officials, cut wait times.
It has also emerged that thousands of Egyptians have been evicted from their homes without compensation to make way for this new maritime bypass. [04/09/14]
