Eastern Province is expected to benefit from a new 2.7 billion US dollar railway line project connecting Chipata via Mpika to Mpulungu port.
This came to light when a Chines delegation paid a courtesy call on the provincial administration this morning.
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC Vice President Zhao Zhongning explained that the company is expected to mobilize equipment in the next two to three months after signing an MOU, Memorandum of Understanding with the Zambian government.
And Technical Manager, Aaron Mwanza explained that the total distance the rail track will cover will be 761 kilometers.
Mr. Mwanza says that the passenger train will be moving at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour while the goods train will be travelling at 80 kilometers per hour.
He says that the project is likely to take seven years to be completed, but that operations are likely to start in 5 years’ time.
Mr. Mwanza further observed that the energy sector will be crucial to the success of the project as the train is likely to be power-driven.
And Provincial Assistant Secretary Beenzu Chikuba has welcomed the development describing it as a booster to the Zambian transport system.
Ms. Chikuba noted that the railway line will bring about a lot of development along the line of rail.