Floods shut Dar – Dodoma, part of the central railway line

Railway services for freight and passengers on the central line are now being operated from Dodoma to both Mwanza and Kigoma regions instead of commencing from Dar es Salaam. This decision has been reached following extensive damage to the railway line, particularly in Morogoro region, caused by floods that rendered the areas between Kilosa and Gulwe stations in Kilosa district inoperable.

The damage is severe, and major repairs are needed to normalise the affected locations. Railway embankments in different locations and approaches of most of the bridges crossing Mkondoa river have been washed away following heavy rains that lasted for several days consecutively during the week of Christmas and New Year (2010). In total there are 32 sections between Morogoro and Gulwe stations which were badly affected by the floods. Out of the 32, 26 sections between Kilosa and Gulwe are seriously damaged. In the heavily affected sections there are 9 bridges of various spans which were washed away.

Ministry officials jointly with experts from Railway Asset Holding Company (RAHCO) and Tanzania Railway Limited (TRL) are already on site. In the meantime emergency teams have also been mobilized and sent to Kilosa and Gulwe to immediately commence restoration of the destroyed areas.

Preliminary survey carried out to assess extent of the damages, has come up with an estimate of T.Shs. 15bn immediately needed to restore the services. It is estimated that repair works will take about three months before the line from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma is reopened.