AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE government through the Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) is implementing a project to renovate the 970 kilometre central railway from Dar es Salaam station to Isaka in Shinyanga region at a cost of 680bn/-.
The move is aimed at ensuring a possible transport channel as well as increase speed to the central railway from an average 35 to 70 per hour.
This was said by leader of the renovation team from Isaka to Itigi Bernard Mbonde when he briefed members of the Tabora regional political committee of ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).
He said the project has 71 contracts including four involving renovation for railway highway from Dar es Salaam to Isaka, procurement of 44 Wagons and procurement of machines for renovating routes among others.
He said freight wagon and locomotives are expected to arrive into the country anytime from now which will facilitate cargo transportation in the country.
He said resting stations have been prolonged from 400 to 600 metres to allow long trains to stop and drop passengers contrary to what was the case earlier.
CCM chairman for Tabora Hassan Wakasuvi said there was need for TRC to revive the train and bring back security groups which in the past helped to control security along the railway line.
He added that lack of groups that used to maintain security within the facility increases risks of being sabotaged.
The party official also called upon TRC to increase the number of staff in various railway stations especially those working for health to ensure there was hygiene as he gave an example of some stations with only one health worker.
Tabora Regional Commissioner Dr Philemon Sengati asked investors to invest in the region because transportation of goods was not an issue as the railway was going to solve everything.
