The construction works of Lot 5 of the Standard Gauge Railway, the Mwanza-Isaka SGR project has attained 63.04% completion status. This was revealed by the Minister of Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa. He stated on Friday during a one day visit to Malampaka Town in Simiyu region, that a significant amount of work on the SGR section had already been completed. The minister was in the region inspecting the project’s progress so far.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the remaining 37 percent of the construction works on the project would be completed any time from now. He also insisted that project would still go on even during the rainy conditions.
Also read: Tanzania SGR Operations Approach as the Country Launches East Africa’s First Electric Train
Significance of the Project
Upon the SGR section completion, this project is expected to bring major economic benefits especially to the Lake Region zones. The government is dedicated to ensure the project is completed faster so that it can start serving citizens.
According to the project manager Moga Kulwa, the construction works of the project are going on well. Only minor tasks such as installation of railway loopers are left.
Challenges Facing the Project
The Tanzanian Railway Corporation (TRC) Director General Masanja Kadogosa, stated that the construction works on the project were halted temporarily. This was due to the ongoing heavy rains in the region. He also revealed that proper arrangements are currently underway to ensure that the construction works resume on April at an accelerated pace.
The SGR project covers a total of 249 kilometres of the main railway line. Furthermore, it consists of 92 kilometres of passing loops.
The SGR project is being implemented through a collaboration between China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and CRCC. Its cost is approximately $1.321 billion and is expected to unlock economic opportunities by boosting the transportation of goods from the Lake Zone to the Port of Dar es Salaam.
Also read: Tanzania-Burundi SGR Project
