Tanzania will begin operating its electric trains after a successful completion of a mega project that will power its electric locomotives. – By Gerald Gekara.
Addressing the press on the progress, Tanzania’s Energy minister Medard Kalemani said the SGR will begin operation in weeks time.
“Construction of power lines between Dar es Salaam (Kinyerezi) and Morogoro (Kingorwira) is complete and the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) is now ready to power the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) locomotives,” said Kalemani.
The Magufuli-led government is said to have invested a total of TSh71.1 billion (Ksh. 3.36 Billion)to avail the mega power infrastructure in the first phase of the multibillion dollar SGR project.
While arguing the costs, the energy minister clarified that the locomotives will have inbuilt power-saving systems to will keep them charged for not less than one hour.
This will mitigate Tanzania’s major power black outs that may paralyze the project.
The costs are a shadow to Kenya’s SGR , which Tanzania’s president John Magufuli ridiculed for the huge costs in construction.
Kenya’s first phase of the project running from Mombasa to Naivasha has cost the government Ksh. 4.8Billion.
