Hadbi told Radio Algeria Channel 3 on October 22 that studies on the 8km nine-station extension to Chevalley had been completed but EMA "does not have the financial means" to begin construction, and no funding has been allocated to take the project forward.

However, he confirmed that civil works have been completed on the southern branch of Line 1 from Hai El Badr to Ain Naâdja 2 and the project is on schedule for commissioning in October 2017, while the two-station extension from Tafourah Grande Poste to Place des Martyrs will open in late 2017. An extension east from El Harrach Centre to the airport is also under construction.