CHIPATA-MCHINJI RAILWAY LINE TO BE REVAMPED ONCE THE JOINING RAIL IN MALAWI AND MOZAMBIQUE IS OPERATIONAL – HACHIPUKA
Zambia Railways Limited ZRL Board Chairperson Emmanuel Hachipuka says the Chipata-Mchinji Railway line can only be revamped once the joining rail from both the Malawian and Mozambiquan side start operating.
Mr. Hachipuka says unless the two joining rails start operating, it will become uneconomical for the Zambia Railways Limited to operate on the 24 kilometres from the Zambian side.
And Mr. Hachipuka says depending on how the board decides, ZRL is considering using the offices at the Chipata ZRL on rent for the time being in order for the company to earn some money.
He added that there are a number of options in terms of resurrecting the operation of the railway line once the Malawian and Mozambiquan lines are open as ZRL can be given access to run the trains beyond the border.
Mr. Hachipuka further explained that if ZRL is able to secure an agreement to gain access to nacala by running its own trains, it will then look into a possibility of putting up some facilities such as a dry port of both fuels and various merchandise.
He said this yesterday after a team of ZRL officials toured the project yesterday.
Mr. Hachipuka further explained that the Chipata Mchinji Railway line is a project that should be reconsidered not only by ZRL but also by government, but he was quick to mention that being a drought year, government is doing its level best to feed its citizens.