RAILWAY FROM KKIA TO CBD GOOD IDEA
GOVERNMENT through Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Ronald Chitotela announced recently announced that it was planning to build a railway line from the Kenneth Kaunda International airport KKIA to the Central Business District to ease congestion.
The idea of the railway line is welcome and we can only hope that this plan materialises as planned. In fact, the idea is long overdue. This is the kind of development the country needs.
But while the government is thinking of building this track from the airport, they should also consider improving the railway line formerly used by Njanji Commuter which used to run between Chilenje and Ngwerere via town.
Presently, there is a train which runs from Ngwerere to Lilayi which business women who go for orders early in the morning use. So it would be nice to connect the railway from KKIA to this railway line and it will not only ease congestion but will be convenient and affordable to many people who are unable to afford bus fares.
My appeal to the State is to improve the railway line to modern standards. When I talk of the railway line, I mean the whole track which was built in the colonial era.
The good thing about the railway line is that it lasts longer than roads which need constant maintenance. So I urge Government to invest more in railway transport as it is cheaper to manage.
GEORGE MONDE, Lusaka.