KIGOMA: THE Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) will use a fast-track construction model to deliver the 506-kilometre Tabora-Kigoma Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project within 48 months, accelerating implementation of one of the country’s biggest transport investments.
Briefing President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the foundation stone-laying ceremony in Kigoma yesterday, TRC Director General, Engineer Machibya Shiwa, said the 6.3tri/- project will adopt a design-and-build contract, allowing detailed engineering design and construction works to proceed simultaneously instead of sequentially.
He said the approach will significantly reduce implementation time while ensuring quality and cost efficiency.
“To speed up implementation, we decided to use a design-and-build contract, allowing detailed design and construction to proceed together instead of spending more than five years on design work before construction starts,” Eng Shiwa said.
He added that construction has been divided into multiple sections to allow several contractors and construction teams to work concurrently, further accelerating delivery of the strategic railway.
“The project comprises 411 kilometres of the main railway line and 95 kilometres of passing loops. Dividing the works into sections will enable more teams to work simultaneously and ensure completion within the planned timeframe,” he said.
According to Eng Shiwa, the railway will feature modern bridges, culverts, pedestrian and wildlife crossings, as well as stations at Urambo, Uvinza and Kigoma. Kigoma Station will become the country’s fourth-largest SGR station after Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Mwanza.
He said the Tabora-Kigoma section forms part of the Central Railway corridor linking Dar es Salaam with Kigoma and connecting branch lines to Mwanza, Mpanda, Msongati, Kidatu and Manyoni, strengthening transport connectivity, trade and economic activities across the country.
Kigoma Regional Commissioner Ambassador Simon Sirro said the railway will transform the region from a transport terminus into a key economic gateway for western Tanzania.
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“The Tabora-Kigoma SGR will reduce transport costs and travel time, improve trade competitiveness and attract industries and investment to the region,” he said.
Mr Sirro said Kigoma’s strong security cooperation with neighbouring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo provides a stable environment for cross-border trade and investment, positioning the region to benefit fully from the new railway.
Kigoma Urban Member of Parliament, Clayton Chipando described the project as a historic development for the region and urged residents to protect the infrastructure to ensure it delivers long-term benefits to future generations.
The government continues to expand the Standard Gauge Railway network while upgrading the existing 2,707-kilometre Metre Gauge Railway system.
According to the Ministry of Transport, SGR construction is being implemented in two phases covering a combined 2,809 kilometres.
The first phase stretches from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, while the second phase comprises the Tabora-Kigoma and Uvinza-Musongati sections, significantly expanding Tanzania’s modern railway network and regional transport connectivity