Iringa eyes cobblestone roads
IRINGA: IRINGA Region is preparing to adopt cobblestone road construction technology as part of efforts to address infrastructure challenges in mountainous areas, lowlands and sections frequently damaged by heavy rains.
The initiative follows a strategic benchmark tour of Mwanza Region led by Iringa Regional Commissioner, Kheri James, involving government officials, council directors, chairpersons and technical experts from the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) and Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS).
The tour, which began on August 26, 2026, aimed at enabling the Iringa delegation to learn from Mwanza’s experience in implementing and expanding stone-road technology.
Speaking during the visit, Mr James said the technology could provide a practical and relatively affordable solution to accessibility challenges facing several parts of Iringa Region.
He particularly cited highaltitude and mountainous areas in Iringa Municipality, as well as Kilolo and Mufindi districts, where heavy rains often affect road accessibility.
“In our municipality, we have high-altitude mountainous areas and telling citizens that we will build tarmac roads immediately would be misleading. However, constructing stone roads can make such areas passable for vehicles within a short period,” he said.
He added that incorporating cobblestone roads into infrastructure plans for Kilolo and Mufindi could provide a lasting solution to year-round accessibility problems caused by rainfall.
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Mr James said the delegation had witnessed the quality, durability, cost- effectiveness and improved appearance associated with cobblestone roads in Mwanza.
He noted that the roads had been constructed under TARURA supervision, demonstrating the availability of local expertise and capacity to implement similar projects elsewhere in the country.
To ensure successful implementation, Mr James directed council directors and chairpersons to begin educating residents and councillors about the benefits of cobblestone roads before construction begins.
He also requested the Regional Administrative Secretary’s Office to establish a framework for experts from Mwanza to help build the capacity of engineers in Iringa.
Mwanza Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda commended Iringa leaders for seeking practical solutions through learning from their counterparts.
He said Mwanza had taken deliberate measures to improve road infrastructure, including directing councils to allocate part of their ownsource revenues towards road paving through TARURA.
