malvernmugadzikwa
Sunday Mail Reporter
The GOVERNMENT has set aside US$34 million to fund the first phase of a comprehensive rehabilitation of about 254 kilometres of the country’s rail network.
The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has since refurbished more than 5km of its rail network this year using internally generated resources, with the programme now set to be expanded using the funds set aside by the Government.
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Engineer Theodius Chinyanga said the parastatal was close to securing a loan to procure new locomotives and wagons, as part of the recapitalisation exercise.
“For Phase One, we have set aside US$34 million over and above the Public Sector Investment Programme funds and NRZ’s internally generated funds.
“Our railway network system has 2 760km and out of that, only 254km (10 percent) are under cautions; that is, where trains should reduce speed to around 10km/hour,” he said, referring to parts of the railway line that have been damaged.
“In the first quarter of 2023, NRZ removed 5,3km of cautions using internally generated resources.
“NRZ, through the Government, has applied for a loan to fund procurement of locomotives and wagons and part of that money is also meant for infrastructure and will see the removal of cautions in our main export routes; that is, Somabhula-Chicualacuala and Harare-Machipanda lines.”
NRZ, he said, is expected to take delivery of the first batch of new wagons it has procured within the next eight months, while a consignment of new locomotives is expected next year.
“We expect the first batch of wagons in as early as eight to 12 months while the locomotives will be delivered within 15 to 18 months,” he said.
Eng Chinyanga said the authorities were concerned by the rate at which railway infrastructure was being vandalised.
This, he added, was affecting swift movement of trains “not only in Zimbabwe, but regionally and internationally”.
“Where there are cases of vandalism, NRZ swiftly moves in to repair the track to ensure smooth movement of trains.
“To curb vandalism, a number of initiatives are being implemented, among them, railway line patrols by patrolmen and loss control officers.
“NRZ has also established an investigations unit within its loss control department and this has led to a number of arrests.
“The loss control department was equipped with vehicles, motorbikes and a dog section to track vandalism cases.”
Separately, Government recently signed a US$81,2 million deal with Indian company RITES for the procurement of 315 wagons and nine locomotives to capacitate NRZ.
The deal was signed on the sidelines of the 18th Confederation of Indian Industry-Exim Bank Conclave on India-Africa Growth Partnership held in New Delhi.
Online Reporter