The Tanzanian government company has announced plans to invite international tenders to build a standard gauge railway from the port of Ithacagan to neighboring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hassan Abbas, the government's chief spokesman and the permanent secretary-general of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, revealed the plan and said the government has entered the final stage of negotiations.

Hassan Abbasi said: "From now on, tenders for the construction of standard gauge railway projects in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be announced at any time, and President John Magufuli has issued a contract to build Mwanza-Isaka, which connects two neighboring countries. SGR instructions. "

Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway Project

The government's chief spokesperson also confirmed that a feasibility study has been conducted on a standard gauge railway project connecting Tanzania and Rwanda, adding that the two countries are currently seeking financing for the project. The railway connection project is part of China ’s plan to invest US $ 14.2 billion over the next five years to build a standard gauge railway line of approximately 2,500 kilometers.

The project aims to reduce road congestion and reduce freight costs by 40%. Each freight train is expected to carry up to 10,000 tons of cargo, equivalent to 500 trucks. It will also connect Tanzania with Burundi and Uganda, making it an important promoter of regional integration.

Tanzania will become the third country in East Africa to begin enjoying modern rail services after Kenya and Ethiopia. Kenya is the first country in the region to begin construction of standard gauge lines, and completed more than 500 kilometers of lines between Mombasa and Nairobi, and opened passenger services in June 2017. (Please refer to www.seetao.com for reprinting.) See editor of section engineering / Huang Lijun