The existing railway infrastructure is in good condition and fit to accommodate the much-anticipated deluxe train, Reli Assets Holding Company (Rahco) – the state owned firm responsible for railway infrastructure - said yesterday.
Rahco managing director Benhadard Tito, told The Citizen yesterday said that the existing railway had undergone regular maintenance in all problematic areas and that it is currently in a good condition.
“Of course it has been repeatedly damaged by floods but am very comfortable and confident with the maintenance we have done in all problematic areas…I believe that all trucks using the central railway will continue with their schedules,” said Mr Tito.
Rahco officials conduct regular visits on different challenging areas with an intention of determining signs of possible problems and fix them before they become chronic.
On the funds to rehabilitate the central railway line, he said Rahco is yet to receive the promised money from the World Bank.
“We expect the fund to be disbursed in March this year and once given out, we will use it to rehabilitate 300 kilometres of railway from Dar es Salaam to Isaka,” he said.
The World Bank will loan the government a total of $300 million to rehabilitate the central railway line under the Tanzania Intermodal and Rail Development Project.
The fund will be used for upgrading of track to 80lb per yard (heavier crane rail), rehabilitation of bridges and elevate axle load to 25 tonnes per axle in order to allow heavy trucks. The money will also be used to rehabilitate and upgrade signal and telecommunication systems.
Out of 2,707 km of tracks available, 528km has so far been relayed with 80 lb/yd whereas another 508km is expected to be finished within the next five years under the project
Mr Tito told The Citizen recently that poor funding makes it impossible to implement development projects. This is because during the past four years, investment in railway infrastructure - from both the government and its development partners - has been minimal.
Rahco managing director Benhadard Tito, told The Citizen yesterday said that the existing railway had undergone regular maintenance in all problematic areas and that it is currently in a good condition.
“Of course it has been repeatedly damaged by floods but am very comfortable and confident with the maintenance we have done in all problematic areas…I believe that all trucks using the central railway will continue with their schedules,” said Mr Tito.
Rahco officials conduct regular visits on different challenging areas with an intention of determining signs of possible problems and fix them before they become chronic.
On the funds to rehabilitate the central railway line, he said Rahco is yet to receive the promised money from the World Bank.
“We expect the fund to be disbursed in March this year and once given out, we will use it to rehabilitate 300 kilometres of railway from Dar es Salaam to Isaka,” he said.
The World Bank will loan the government a total of $300 million to rehabilitate the central railway line under the Tanzania Intermodal and Rail Development Project.
The fund will be used for upgrading of track to 80lb per yard (heavier crane rail), rehabilitation of bridges and elevate axle load to 25 tonnes per axle in order to allow heavy trucks. The money will also be used to rehabilitate and upgrade signal and telecommunication systems.
Out of 2,707 km of tracks available, 528km has so far been relayed with 80 lb/yd whereas another 508km is expected to be finished within the next five years under the project
Mr Tito told The Citizen recently that poor funding makes it impossible to implement development projects. This is because during the past four years, investment in railway infrastructure - from both the government and its development partners - has been minimal.
Source: The Citizen, reported by Veneranda Sumila from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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