Tanzania's SGR: Design flaw haunt the service
The Tanzanian standard Gauge Train, which has been running for less than two years, has suffered frequent minor mishaps. Among these are frequent stoppages due to power outages. However, over the last two months, these mishaps have escalated to include a derailment and service suspension due to a flooded river damaging the infrastructure. This has led to the public lashing out at the management, terming it incompetent. No Sir. The management is not incompetent. The problem lies elsewhere, and no Management, however competent, can deal with it. The mistakes were made at the design stage. The line is a level crossing line with few elevations. That is the problem, and I shall be brutally frank. It will persist for the life of the line. Around October 25 th , 2025, the train derailed at Ruvu station during the morning run from Dar-Es- Salaam to Dodoma. The management described the accident as an “operational hitch.” And On December 31st, 2025. The service was suspended as heavy ...