Dr. Moustafa Madbouli – Prime Minister inspects the final works for the development project of Tahrir Square. He was accompanied with Dr. Khaled Anani – Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Major General Mahmoud Shaarawy – Minister of Local Development, Mr. Hesham Tawfik – Minister of Public Works Sector, Dr. Essam El Gazzar – Minister of housing, utilities and urban communities, Major General Khaled Abdel Aal - Cairo Governor, Dr. Moustafa El Wazeeri General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Antiquities and Eng. Mohsen Salah – CEO and Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company.
The Prime Minister started his tour by inspecting the development work of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir which includes raising the efficiency of the garden and the fountain located at the front of the museum. In addition to the lighting works for the museum's facades, the external walls and its garden. These works was carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works Sector. The Prime Minister then stepped out throughout the Tahrir Square to review the development work in its final stage. He pointed out that the state is seeking through these works to highlight the unique treasures of the ancient civilization in Egypt. Besides, he stressed on the importance of beautifying the square to have it in a brightful image as a new shrine among the archaeological and tourist attractions in Cairo. He followed up the lighting works of the buildings which is overlooking the square. He stressed on the necessity of having a specialized maintenance company for all the development work to preserve the new brightful image of Tahrir Square.
The Prime Minister listened to a detailed explanation for the development works of Tahrir Square. The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities indicated that the development project included the installation and restoration of King Ramses II obelisk, which was transformed from San El Hagarr in Sharqia governorate. It was divided into several parts, its full height after the assembly reached 19m and its weight is 90 tons. It is carved from pink granite stone. It is distinguished by the beauty of its inscriptions depicting King Ramses II standing in front of a deity, in addition to his various titles. The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities added that the development work included the completion of installing 4 pharaonic rams on its bases next to the obelisk of King Ramses II to add the characteristic of the pharaonic civilization to the square.
The Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities pointed out that the development works of Tahrir Square funded by the ministry in cooperation with the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry and Cairo Governorate, included the removal of visual distortions, especially advertisements which were covering the fa?ades of all the buildings. Besides, the completion of the painting and restoration for all the buildings facades in accordance with the historical value of the Khedive Cairo. He pointed out that the recent modern lighting methods and techniques were used in lighting the facades, as well as the lighting of the landscape elements which includes palm trees and benches with standardization of colors and banners for shops in the square. The Minister of Housing indicated that adequate numbers of benches and chairs were provided throughout the square with regard to the movement size in it and the surrounding areas. In addition to the construction of slopes on the sidewalks to facilitate the movement of people with special needs. Besides the re-paving of the pedestrian walkways and pavements using the brush finish concrete. Moreover, the allocation of parking areas for bicycles within the pilot project for the use of bicycles in central Cairo. There were aesthetic and historical touches added by providing different types of pharaonic cultivation that have been placed in the front part of the Egyptian Museum to match the historical sights of the square and its cultural and historical value, thus it will be a landmark. It could be seen from all the access ways. In addition to the designing of a fountain with 3 levels at the heart of the square and around the obelisk as a celebrating element adding aesthetic appearance to the square.