Tebboune Launches Western Mining Railway Line in Béchar

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune arrived on Sunday at Boudguen Airport in Béchar to officially launch the Western Mining Railway Line, a major strategic infrastructure project aimed at boosting southern Algeria’s economic development.

The President was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, Lieutenant General Saïd Chengriha. He was welcomed by senior civil and military officials of the Béchar province.

President Tebboune received a warm and enthusiastic reception from local residents, reflecting strong public support for development projects and growing ties between southern regions and national economic decision-making centers.

Citizens lined the main street near the Béchar railway station to greet the President, who thanked them for their hospitality and expressed his appreciation for their support.

The President presided over the ceremony welcoming the first passenger train arriving from Tindouf. He also watched a documentary on the strategic western railway project Gara Djebilet–Tindouf–Béchar, produced by Algerian television under the supervision of the Presidency’s Directorate General of Communication.

On this occasion, President Tebboune officially announced the launch of the new railway line and spoke with passengers aboard the inaugural train. He also greeted employees of the National Railway Transport Company and all those who contributed to completing the project.

The visit also included the reception of the first train transporting iron ore from the Gara Djebilet mine toward Oran, marking a key milestone in Algeria’s mining and logistics strategy.

In his speech, President Tebboune described the project as the first phase of a broader national plan that will transform the region in the short term. He said it would contribute to national economic goals by enabling the exploitation of Gara Djebilet’s resources, launching the zinc and lead mine in Oued Amizour (Béjaïa), and supporting future railway links to the mining hub in Annaba.

The President expressed his gratitude to all workers, engineers, managers, and Chinese partners for completing the project in a record time of 20 months.

The inauguration of the Western Mining Railway Line marks a decisive step in Algeria’s strategy to develop its southern regions, strengthen mining exports, and modernize national transport infrastructure.