The residents of Dar es Salaam will soon be getting relieved of the crippling traffic with the construction of a commuter rail system. The Dar es Salaam Commuter Rail Construction works are expected to commence before the end of this year.
This information was announced yesterday by the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) Director General, Masanja Kadogisa during an online media editors training in Morogoro region.
Dar es Salaam Commuter Rail Construction Project Factsheet
Significance:
- To alleviate traffic congestion in Dar es Salaam.
- To provide a faster, more reliable, and less stressful commute for residents.
- To support the city’s growing population.
Infrastructure:
- The project will involve a 160-kilometer railway line.
- It will utilize a combination of elevated and underground tracks to minimize disruption to existing infrastructure.
- It will involve designated inner and outer train routes.
Developer:
- The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) is leading the development of the project.
Funding:
- The project is currently in the financing arrangement finalization stage.
Similar projects:
- There are also plans for commuter rail systems in other major Tanzanian cities, including Dodoma, Mwanza, and Mbeya.
Challenges:
- Land acquisition in Dar es Salaam’s dense urban environment is a significant challenge.
- Solutions such as elevated tracks are being considered to address this.
Broader railway development:
- This project is part of a larger effort to improve Tanzania’s railway infrastructure, including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.
- Tanzania is also pursuing international railway projects to enhance regional connectivity.
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Length of the Commuter Rail
The upcoming railway line will have a length of 160 kilometres. Furthermore, it will utilize a combination of both elevated and underground tracks in order to minimize disruptions to the already existing city infrastructure.
This upcoming railway is expected to provide a faster, more reliable, and a less stressful commute for thousands of residents in Dar es Salaam. “We are now finalising the project’s financial arrangements. One thing that is clear is that the railway is inevitable for the future of the city,” he added.
Challenges Facing the Project
The TRC Deputy Director General-Infrastructure, Eng Machibya Shiwa, highlighted that there were challenges in land acquisition in the dense urban landscape of Dar es Salaam. “The solutions that are being considered are inclusive of elevated tracks in the city centre. This is aimed to minimise costs. Also, there will be designated inner and outer train routes and fencing along certain sections for safety,” he said.
Other thanDar es Salaam, Tanzania is also developing commuter rail systems in other major cities. This also includes Dodoma.
Similar Projects
The preliminary designs for a commuter railway in the nation’s capital have been completed. Similar projects are also planned for Mwanza and Mbeya. “We are not just focused on Dar es Salaam,” Mr Kadogosa stated.
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“Dodoma is the next city on a commuter railway development. It will be followed by Mbeya and Mwanza. This initiative is set to ensure nationwide connectivity.” Specific cost information for these projects were unavailable at this time.
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A very good idea given the ever increasing population around the city. It is high time you also considered the use of Indian Ocean and rivers aroind to introduce boat commuters system to aleviate the current city traffic problems. Commuters destined for Mbezi Beach, Tegeta, Mapinga and Bagamoyo as well as those living in Mtoni, Mbagala and Rufiji would greatly be favoured under this scheme.
Is better to start this project as soon as possible including far away parts as chanika intead of dart infrastructure for because fo now ends at gongolamboto
Its a good and important infrastructure for the development of the city.