CAIRO — The Egyptian government and Cairo governorate are rejuvenating the area surrounding downtown Cairo, including the Maspero Triangle District. The project includes the development of Nile Corniche Street, which runs along the eastern bank of the Nile River near Tahrir Square. The area is a docking hub for riverboats, known as feluccas, which can be hired out for short leisure cruises.

Many Cairo residents welcome the project, hoping it might help resolve complaints about riverboat workers harassing female passengers. Other citizens have raised concerns about the poor condition of some boats, which are at risk of sinking.

However, the project has left hundreds of riverboat owners and crew members stranded without work. The Cairo governorate, in cooperation with the Nile River police, began evacuating riverboats from the banks along the Nile Corniche in late August. Many of these boat owners have been operating from the waterfront for several years.

On Aug. 20, Cairo Gov. Galal al-Saeed ordered the licensed riverboats to move to the docks at the al-Sahel area and banned boat owners from returning back to the docking area near Tahrir, amid objections and anger from the affected parties. The displaced workers staged protests in mid-September in front of the Nile Corniche. Moreover, riverboat owners held a sit-in in the area that began Sept. 11 and lasted several days.