Cear invests K400m for rail line renovations

Central East African Railway (Cear) plans to invest K400 million ($714,286) to renovate the country’s railway line ahead of the rainy season.

During last year’s rainy season, Cear suspended its Limbe-Makhanga passenger train for about five months due to the washing away of Nansadi Bridge in Thyolo, which was rendered impassable due to flooding.

Cear communications officer Chisomo Mwamadi said in an interview last week in Balaka the company does not want a repeat of last year’s situation.

“We want to make sure that by the time the rains come, we have already checked all possible setback areas so that we continue with our operations even during the rainy season unlike last year where we had to suspend them,” he said.

Mwamadi said the renovations, which are currently underway, are expected to finish November end.

He said the “project is targeting bridges, culverts, fastening of railway lines and installation of drainage systems along the rails”.

Cear is the only operator of rail transport services in Malawi and currently operates on Blantyre to Balaka, Liwonde via Nayuchi to Nacala in Mozambique, Blantyre to Lilongwe via Balaka and Salima routes. n