The process to start constructing Sh340 billion standard gauge rail line linking Mombasa and Nairobi has began, with the actual work expected to set in by end of the year. Kenya Railways Corporation has advertised for provision of consultancy services for the design, review and construction supervision of the new railroad. The state corporation also called for similar tenders for the construction of the railway linking Nairobi Central Business District and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The call for the international tender closes on August 29, 2013 and winners will be known by end of September going by the new procurement law putting a 30-day limit to awarding a tender after opening. Construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi track is expected to take three years, boosting the northern corridor transport system with 120-kilometer per hour cargo trains and 180-kilometer per hour commuter engines. Its set up would see a transfer of freight and passengers from roads to rail effectively reducing damage on highways caused by heavy trucks. It would also provide safer and fast intercity transport. Initially, the standard gauge railway was to be done in a one five-year phase from Mombasa to Kisumu but the second stage to Kisumu is expected to start in the next financial year. Media relations person for the acting Kenya Railways Corporation managing director Timothy Msunza confirmed that the project has been split into two phases. Already the government has created a development fund to raise money for construction of the railway line with the Treasury levying 1.5 per cent custom duty to all imports. The Nairobi-JKIA line shall include provision of checking in, luggage dropping and collection centre at the Nairobi Railway station to ease congestion at the airport. Mr Msunza said the construction of this railway line shall take 18 months and is phase two of decongestion process in Nairobi area with phase one having been the development of an 18-kilometre line from the city centre to Syokimau.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:20:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015