Dar es Salaam plans metro rail project

Tanzania requests funding from India

Tanzania has requested funding from India to build a metro rail network in Dar es Salaam, according to the country's president Jakaya Kikwete.

The official request for funds was made during a recent meeting in New Delhi between Kikwete and the Indian premier Narendra Modi.

Kikwete said that India's Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) has expressed interest in investing in the metro rail project although he declined to reveal the costs involved.

The Indian government also said it is willing to invest in various sectors in Tanzania including agriculture, defence, education, health, and the fight against terrorism.

In May Tanzania announced a $2 billion plan to build new roads, fly-overs and bridges as well as a bus rapid transit system, in an attempt to decongest its traffic-clogged commercial capital.

In recent years continued attempts have been made to deal with traffic problems in Dar es Salaam which, with a population of over four million, is one of the fastest-growing cities in sub-saharan Africa.

In late 2012 Dar es Salaam launched an urban and suburban commuter rail network, with two routes operating in the city. deal with traffic problems