Dar city rail feasibilty study begins
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has launched a feasibility study for the proposed Dar es Salaam monorail, marking the first formal step towards introducing the country’s first urban railway of its kind.
The study, commissioned by the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) and to be conducted by French consultancy firm SYSTRA, will assess the technical, financial, environmental and operational viability of the project before construction decisions are made.
A monorail is an urban railway system that runs on a single concrete or steel beam, usually elevated above roads, allowing trains to carry large numbers of passengers without being delayed by road traffic.
The system is widely used in major cities to complement public transport networks and reduce road congestion, especially in areas where expanding road space is increasingly difficult.
The move follows the first meeting between TRC and SYSTRA held yesterday in Dar es Salaam, where officials outlined the scope of the study that will determine the most suitable route, construction approach, projected costs and implementation model before any construction decisions are made.
Speaking after the meeting, TRC Director General, Engineer Machibya Shiwa, said the study lays the groundwork for developing a modern urban transport system capable of responding to the city’s rapidly growing population and increasing demand for reliable public transport.
“Launching this process marks an important step in preparing a modern urban transport system. The feasibility study will provide a professional basis for identifying the best way to implement the project while taking into account residents’ needs and the growth of Dar es Salaam,” Eng Shiwa said.
Around the world, monorail systems operate in cities including Tokyo, Chongqing, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, where they complement other public transport networks by providing faster journeys and reducing pressure on congested roads.
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TRC said the proposed system aims to address growing transport challenges in Dar es Salaam, whose population is projected to reach about 10 million by 2030.
The city has experienced rapid urban expansion, with traffic congestion increasing travel times for commuters and raising transport costs for businesses and residents.
According to Eng Shiwa, the project is expected to shorten travel time, lower transport costs and enable people to reach workplaces, business centres and essential public services more efficiently once implemented.
He said the monorail would also support economic growth by improving business efficiency, creating employment and investment opportunities and increasing the value of areas served by the railway while reducing economic losses associated with prolonged traffic congestion.
Eng Shiwa said the private sector is expected to play the leading role in implementing the project once the feasibility study is completed and investment decisions are made.
He further said that the country’s development agenda has allocated a significant role to private investment in infrastructure development and called on local and foreign investors to take advantage of the opportunity.
“The private sector has a major role in implementing our development agenda. We invite investors to seize this opportunity as the government continues to strengthen the legal, policy and institutional environment for investment,” he said.
The feasibility study will examine engineering requirements, passenger demand, environmental impacts, financing options and operational models before recommending whether and how the project should proceed, making it the crucial first step before construction can begin.
