The Rhodesia Herald,
2 June 1964
A PANEL of experts drawn from the Government, Rhodesia Railways and Salisbury City Engineer’s Department is investigating the problems of road and rail communications in the Salisbury area.

No date has yet been set for the completion of the panel’s report, but it is likely that the future development of road and rail links will be based on its findings.

A census of European traffic has been undertaken by the City Engineer’s Department and plans are in hand for snap sample surveys of African traffic.

More than a year ago, plans were said to have been drawn up for a series of rail links between Salisbury and neighbouring African townships. A figure of £500 000 was quoted as the possible cost. No further arrangements have, however been made.

Councillor W Steer, chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee, said yesterday that he believed lack of capital had handicapped the plan.

Rhodesia Railways in a statement indicated that they had reserved certain routes as a precaution against future rail links being found to be “economically possible”.

Interest in plans for railway lines to the townships was reviewed recently by the Minister of Local Government, Mr Gaunt. On his return from an official visit to South Africa, he said such lines might be found to be the only practical solution to our problems.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

The Second Republic is on course to realising its Vision 2030 goals and objectives.

A stable macro and micro economic environment is the foundation to such success. The Transitional Stabilisation Programme, launched in October 2018 ends in December 2020. TSP kick-started a stagnant economy by implementing a number of Government projects, policies and strategies.

As the first phase of the proposed National Development Strategy, 2021-2023 takes shape, everyone hopes that the successes scored so far will quadruple.

Infrastructure development is one of the most important components to achieving a middle income economy for Zimbabwe.

Government’s emphasis on ensuring that a number of infrastructural projects are started and completed is a step in the right direction.

Roads, airports, information communication networks, power and energy generation, access to water and health care facilities are some of the current projects at various phases of implementation.

To complement all these efforts, there should be a vibrant inter and intra-city railway network, transporting both passengers and cargo.

Infrastructure development requires substantial capital injection. Despite challenges, Government has managed to use the few resources it has to work on these important projects. The more reason why the clarion call on the removal the illegal sanctions should be heeded.

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