Tanzania completes feasibility study to extend SGR to Mbamba Bay

Dodoma. The government has completed a feasibility study to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to Mtwara, Tundulu, Songea and up to Mbamba Bay, the Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa has said.

Responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs), Mr Majaliwa said the government was only looking for funds to start executing the projects.

“We have completed the feasibility study and now, we are only looking for funds before we engage the contractor….we know the actual amount required to extend the railway line," said Mr Majaliwa.

He said the government wants to simplify the transporting of coal from Ngaka Coal fields in Songea and also connect Tanzania to the neighbouring countries.

He was responding to a question from Mr Shaaban Shekilindi (Lushoto - CCM) who wanted to know the government’s plans in ensuring that the ongoing construction of SGR line is extended beyond Dar es Salaam-Morogoro-Dodoma-Tabora-Isaka-Mwanza so it can reach other areas in the south.

According to Mr Majaliwa, apart from the SGR, the government was also reviving the old railway line, including the one to Tanga which is now working. 

“We are also working on the one from Dar es Salaam to Moshi and I have information that experts are working on it. They are now at Mombo and they intend to go as far as Arusha and very soon, it will be opened,” he said.

This comes at a time when actual construction of the first two phases of the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway line – from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and from Morogoro to Dodoma – is underway