DAR ES SALAAM, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) gained fresh momentum on Friday with the groundbreaking of a training center and an operations control center in Dar es Salaam.
The ceremony, held as part of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of TAZARA's operations, brought together senior government officials, diplomats and project stakeholders from Tanzania, China and Zambia.
Permanent Secretary in Tanzania's Ministry of Transport Godius Kahyarara said the project reflects the strong commitment of the three governments to revitalize the strategic railway.
He said the training center marks an important step toward developing specialized railway expertise, which will play an increasingly vital role in Tanzania's transport sector and broader economic development.
Li Chongyang, chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, said the construction of the two facilities represents tangible progress in implementing the TAZARA revitalization project.
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said TAZARA is a railway of friendship, freedom and prosperity, highlighting its historical contribution to regional liberation and economic integration.
She said the revitalization project has entered an intensive implementation phase and is expected to unlock new opportunities for trade, industrialization and agricultural modernization along the railway corridor.
China will continue supporting skills development and infrastructure connectivity, including through the construction of the training center, which is expected to cultivate a highly skilled local workforce for railway operations and maintenance, she added.
TAZARA Managing Director Bruno Ching'andu said the two facilities address two fundamental requirements of a modern railway system: skilled human resources and efficient operational control.
"The training center will strengthen technical, operational and managerial capacity, while the operations control center will improve coordination, communication and safety across the railway network," he said.
