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Fungi Kwaramba-Political Editor

Aonce-promising project, the Harare-Chitungwiza railway line, has been plagued by intermittent false starts and unmet expectations: Even a rusty sign marking the proposed line was stolen.

Three decades after the declaration of intent to build the line, many remain sceptical about the project’s viability, hopes for a rail line have been eroded by time and exploitation.

For instance, land barons have sold parcels of land within the intended rail corridor, casting doubt on the project’s feasibility.

Despite recent agreements and renewed interest, the legacy of broken promises and stalled progress fuels cynicism about the project’s future.

Still, authorities are determined to see the project through, especially under the leadership of President Mnangagwa who has cemented a legacy of fulfilling his promises, never leaving anything in limbo.

Mooted over three decades ago to ease transport challenges faced by residents who commute daily to and from the third largest centre of Chitungwiza to Zimbabwe’s commercial and political hub Harare, there is fresh hope that the railway line will finally be constructed.

Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zimbabwe has experienced an unprecedented infrastructure boom, rekindling hopes for the long-awaited Harare-Chitungwiza railway line.

Thus the project, promising a fast, reliable, and secure mode of transportation for residents, has received a significant boost.

Just two weeks ago, Zimbabwe and China signed a memorandum of understanding at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), paving the way for the project’s advancement.

This development has injected new optimism into the initiative, which aims to enhance connectivity between Harare and Chitungwiza.

President Mnangagwa met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and signed 17 bilateral agreements, including the MoU, which aims to enhance the implementation of high-impact projects.

The agreement is expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of the transport system between Harare and Chitungwiza.

Among the 17 memorandums of understanding inked at FOCAC 2024 was one on the recapitalisation and upgrading of the logistics company, the National Railways of Zimbabwe as well as building a railway line between Harare and Chitungwiza.

But what happens to scores of people, who have made the railway corridor their homes?

“We have a masterplan, the corridor of the railway line is there. The railway line starts at the NRZ in Harare and goes through Graniteside industries, passing through Sunningdale. Of course, some temporary structures have been built along the way; those we shall remove because the lease agreements are clear that in the event we start constructing the railway line, then they would be removed and there will not be any compensation.

“As a city, we have respected the corridor in our planning but we have people who may have connived with land barons to build illegally along the corridors. We will not hesitate to destroy the houses, nothing will stand in the way of the railway line now,” said Harare City Council town planner Mr Samuel Nyabeza.

One major obstacle to the Harare-Chitungwiza railway line’s development is the skepticism of private investors regarding its profitability.

Despite Chitungwiza’s growing population, now estimated at 411,186 in 2024, investors remain unconvinced that the project will yield sufficient returns within their typical 20-year timeframe.

The relatively small population of Chitungwiza, raises concerns about the railway line’s viability and potential for generating enough revenue to recoup investments. This has led to a lack of investment interest, hindering the project’s progress.

“In Harare we have proposed for a light rail that is going to be built by private players. These lines will connect Harare suburbs and will not necessarily reach Chitungwiza. This is because from feasibility studies that have been done so far, there is no enough traffic between Chitungwiza and Harare, the population in Chitungwiza is not big enough to support infrastructure of this magnitude,” he said.

The construction of the railway line, which was mooted in 1986 and is now expected to cost approximately US$1 billion, is expected to link Makoni Shopping Centre with the Chitungwiza industrial sites, Zengeza and St Mary’s.

From St Mary’s, the line is supposed to run parallel to Seke Road right into central Harare.

The Harare-Chitungwiza route is largely serviced by public vehicles, which rarely provide an efficient service in terms of frequency, capacity and safety.

With growing passenger volumes between the two urban centres, which constitute about 17 percent of Zimbabwe’s population, the rail link is expected to improve the public transport system.

With private business hesitant to invest due to concerns about profitability, the Government has taken the initiative to drive the Harare-Chitungwiza railway line project forward.

President Mnangagwa’s recent visit to China has injected new momentum into the project, which has faced numerous false starts in the past.

The Government’s proactive approach has revitalised hopes for the project’s success, as China has agreed to support the initiative through a memorandum of understanding signed during President Mnangagwa’s visit.

“We have come up with a Greater Harare Traffic and Transport Masterplan. The masterplan details where the light railway line will go, where car cables will go, freeways and road widening to accommodate more traffic, it will also show where the bus terminuses will be, the issue of toll gates will also be considered,” he said.

Despite previous proposals, Harare’s inner city roads are not currently tolled.

The primary reason for this is the lack of a reliable mass transportation system.

City officials are hesitant to introduce tolls until an efficient public transportation network is established, ensuring that residents have a viable alternative to private vehicles. Until then, the inner city roads will remain toll-free.

On Thursday Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume expressed optimism that the railway line will now be constructed and said there will not be any compensation for those who constructed structures in the railway line precincts.

Chitungwiza Municipality public relations officer Mr Tafadzwa Kachiko said the project was a welcome development, adding the council would take the necessary procedures to verify how settlers on the land meant for the railway line settled.

Mr Kachiko said the project would usher in confidence to the investors and ease traffic jams along Seke Road.

He said those who acquired the land fraudulently would face the consequences while those who got the land legally might be compensated depending on the outcome of a full council meeting.

“This issue is subject to discussion. The full council meeting will decide ways to settle that and there will not be any challenges since the issue of the railway line is a special project that will ease congestion along Seke Road,” said Mr Kachiko.

“There will be a need for verifying the way those individuals had acquired the land; there might be some compensation depending on the outcome of the full council meeting. The development is stunning as it would also instil investors’ confidence,” he said.

Recent developments have raised concerns about land allocation along the railway corridor, with allegations that certain individuals, referred to as “barons,” have been parcelling out land reserved for critical social amenities.

These amenities include a school and shopping mall, sparking controversy over the handling of land distribution in the area.