Ntuli announces KZN govt plans to revive province’s freight railway for efficient transport
The KwaZulu-Natal Premier told residents that the provincial government has taken note of various road concerns, citing potholes as another issue.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. Picture: KZNGov/facebook.com
DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has announced the provincial government plans to revive the province’s freight railway for efficient transport.
Ntuli delivered his State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.
He told KwaZulu-Natal residents that the provincial government has taken note of various road concerns, citing potholes as another issue.
Ntuli said government will also respond to the public outcry about the number of trucks on the roads.
The premier said they’ve bought 88 trucks to patch potholes on KwaZulu-Natal roads in this financial year, and that 33 more trucks will be added to the fleet.
He also told KwaZulu-Natal residents that there are plans to revitalise the rail service to enhance operations at the province's two key coastal economic hubs.
“The engagements with the National Department of Transport and PRASA [Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa] are being undertaken on freight rail revitalisation in Durban and Richards Bay railway lines to improve cargo movement efficiency.”
This will also include a high-speed train between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
“Our long-term vision is to have a bullet train from Durban to Johannesburg, and we are in talks with strategic collaborators.”
The Department of Transport in the province has welcomed this decision, saying this will be a game changer.