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How road upgrading has reshaped Dar city suburbs
What you need to know:
- Modern buildings lining both sides of the road, alongside two traffic lanes in each direction. In the middle of the carriageway, dedicated BRT lanes run in either direction, separated from the general traffic.
Dar es Salaam. The expansion of a section of Kilwa Road from Mbagala Rangi Tatu to Kongowe is set to transform Dar es Salaam’s landscape, boosting urban transport efficiency and socio-economic development.
The project will involve modernising the road and reserving the central section for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which is to be extended in phases from Mbagala Rangi Tatu to Mkuranga in the Coast Region.
A recent survey by The Citizen in the project area found residents actively demolishing structures built on the road reserve to pave the way for the project’s implementation.
The voluntary demolitions include business premises such as petrol stations, timber yards, carpentry workshops, shops, kiosks, and residential buildings. Interestingly, many owners have already constructed modern buildings outside the reserve, offering a fresh and promising look to the area ahead of the project's completion.
Picture modern buildings lining both sides of the road, alongside two traffic lanes in each direction. In the middle of the carriageway, dedicated BRT lanes run in either direction, separated from the general traffic.
The project will include a flyover at the Kongowe terminal, which connects with Kigamboni Road. The new infrastructure is expected to significantly ease congestion and give the area a modern facelift, attracting more city dwellers.
In a separate interview, project-affected persons (PAPs) said they had received government compensation, allowing them to vacate the area amicably.
Long-time Kongowe resident, Mr Yusufu Abeid expressed appreciation after receiving Sh50 million in compensation for the part of his house affected by the road expansion.
He has since begun building a new home at the rear of his original plot.
“I received the agreed payment, so I moved to allow the project to proceed. I was also told to demolish the structure myself to recover some of the materials,” he said.
Another resident, Ms Neema Luhanga, received Sh38 million for her commercial store, which had to be torn down to make way for the road works. She is now building a house on a plot she bought seven years ago.
“I had to demolish the entire shop as there wasn’t enough space to rebuild it here. But I thank God my house was included in the compensation, so I’m building on my land,” she told The Citizen.
However, not all residents are satisfied, as Mr Rajabu Mohamed, who owned four shops and a house, said he received inadequate and delayed compensation.
“The compensation doesn’t add up. My property was assessed in 2019, but I only received payment in December 2024. It’s been over five years, and construction costs have risen sharply since then,” he said.
Mr Mohamed added that it would have been more practical for the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads) to provide alternative land.
“They’re only compensating for the part of a house directly affected. If a road cuts through the house, they only pay for that section,” he said.
Tanroads’ Dar es Salaam regional manager, Mr Lazeck Kyamba, said the government has disbursed Sh12.6 billion to compensate 318 residents affected by the Mbagala Rangi Tatu–Kongowe road expansion.
He said Sh10.039 billion has already been paid to 238 PAPs, while the remaining 80 are pending due to inheritance disputes awaiting resolution in courts in Dar es Salaam and the Coast Region.
“Once those matters are resolved, payments will be made directly into their bank accounts,” said Mr Kyamba.
He noted that the Kilwa Road expansion and upgrade will eventually stretch from Mbagala Rangi Tatu to Mkuranga. The first phase, covering four kilometres to Kongowe, will cost Sh54.5 billion and is fully funded by the government.
“The government has already signed a contract with the Chinese firm Stecol Corporation Engineering,” he said.
The project will be overseen by the Tanroads Engineering Unit as a consultant and is expected to be completed within 15 months.
“The contractor is currently preparing the documentation required to begin project implementation, including financial submissions from the bank for the initial payment,” Mr Kyamba explained.
Responding to concerns over compensation delays, Mr Kyamba said the government followed all legal procedures in assessing properties.
Although the initial evaluation was conducted in 2019, a verification process was later undertaken to ensure accuracy.
“Public consultation and revaluation, were carried out, which is why most residents accepted the compensation,” he emphasised.
