Mozambique electric railway could boost local transport

21 July 2011

An electric railway in Mozambique linking the capital Maputo to local towns - potentially in operation by 2013 - could boost transport in the region.

According to Maputo-based news organisation Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique, Salcef Costruzioni Edili e Ferroviarie presented the government with a feasibility plan this month regarding the scheme, Bloomberg reports.

Paulo Zucula, transport and communications minister, was quoted by the news source as saying that the new network would cost in the region of $995 million (£615.3 million).

According to Macau Hub, citing the Noticias newspaper, the system will be fully operational by 2026, although its first phase could see a basic network of trams linking Maputo, Matola and the Marracuene district up and running by 2016.

In all, 40 per cent of the money needed to roll out the initiative would be used to invest in traffic management and safety systems, as well as rolling stock.

Salcef itself is one of Italy's leading companies in the construction industry, having been in operation for 60 years.

Category: Transport