Chinese-built railway line still effective for transport in Zambia

The Chinese-built infrastructure, Tanzania-Zambia Railway line is still paying dividends despite having been constructed 50 years ago, Zambian business community said.

CHINGOLA -- The Chinese-built infrastructure, Tanzania-Zambia Railway line is still paying dividends despite having been constructed 50 years ago, Zambian business community said on  Oct 2.

This follows the board of directors of Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) involving of the private Open Access Operator in the transportation of cargo in TAZARA line which has so far had contributed to substantial diversion of freight traffic away from the roads and therefore added in slowing down the deterioration of the roads in Zambia and Tanzania.

Morgan Lungu, a Zambian transporter, said TAZARA is still one of the major international routes to the sea coast.

"Despite having been in existence for several decades TAZARA is still very effective when it comes to exports of goods such as Copper which is transported in bulk," he said.

Lungu commended the TAZARA board for ensuring that the railway remains effective in the transportation of cargo.

And Maureen Mwape who is Chingola chapter chairperson for Women in Business said apart from Zambia and Tanzania, other African nations are also using TAZARA to export and import goods.

"The railway line has become beneficial to other African countries not only to Zambia and Tanzania," she said.