Dar es Salaam - Information received last week from Kigali and Dar es Salaam confirmed that the ambitious joint project to construct a standard gauge railway line from the proposed inland port of Isaka in Tanzania to Kigali initially, before extending it to Bujumbura and onto Eastern Congo, was on course as the final touches were being laid on the feasibility and route studies, now nearing completion.

The new railway line will cost a staggering $3 to $4 billion, but this will be money well spent as Rwanda, Burundi, the Eastern Congo, and, of course, Tanzania all stand to benefit from faster train connections; greater reliability of trains; and improved capacity to carry imports, exports, and people to and from the Indian Ocean port city of Dar es Salaam, instead of having to rely on the much more expensive road transport from the coast into the hinterland.

The same source also confirmed that the section of the railway line between Dar es Salaam and Isaka will be upgraded from its present narrow gauge to the internationally-preferred standard gauge, while work on the section to Rwanda and beyond will be undertaken simultaneously.

A final preparatory review meeting is due to be held in Dar es Salaam in October at which time the financial commitments made by friendly countries and development partners will be assessed to ensure that enough capital has been raised to go into the critical stage of the project following which, after selection of the main contractors, construction will commence.

Ends