Harare (New Ziana) – The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has said potential private investors, including from China, were keen on undertaking the Harare-Chitungwiza railway project.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Monday, NRZ general manager, Respina Zinyanduko said the project was being considered on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis.

“We have a few people who have expressed interest in operating it as a Build- Operate Transfer arrangement and one of them is a Chinese company that we are also engaging on the other side of rehabilitation of our lines. So ever since we took that route of including it on our B.O.T projects, we have seen traction in terms of people who are expressing
interest in the line,” she said.

She said the Harare- Chitungwiza rail route could be profitable.

“Chitungwiza is one of the most viable routes for a passenger train because of the population. You are almost guaranteed that the train is going to be full,” Zinyanduko told parliamentarians.

She said the NRZ expects to conclude negotiations with an investor for the project next year.

“We are engaging, and we intend to have the engagements and finalization of the deal once we find a partner within a year from now,” Zinyanduko said.

The construction of the railway line is expected to ease transport woes between Harare and the dormitory town.

Once completed, the Harare-Chitungwiza railway line is expected to provide affordable transportation options for thousands of commuters who travel between the two towns on a daily basis.

New Ziana