Doubts about the reopening of Cape Town’s central railway line are increasing as no work has been done after three years.
Also read: Minister of transport attends relaunch of Nyanga to Cape Town Central Line
This is according to Western Cape MEC for mobility Ricardo Mackenzie, who says he does not believe that the Central Line, located between Nyanga and Cape Town, will reopen by December as planned. ‘Nothing has happened and it’s not realistic. The lines require work and they have not started the work.’
His comments follow statements by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), which indicated that work on the line is on track. The agency set R1.2 billion aside to recover the site. At this time, the line’s critical infrastructure has been dug out and removed. Due to this, it has been inoperable for the past three years as Prasa also faces allegations of corruption and state capture. Yet, Mackenzie reiterates that his main concern is safety. ‘We need to [make] trains safer while travelling on the central line, and we have started a process to work with Prasa.’
However, Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda says work is in fact being done – in phases. ‘Services are running on the Central Line between Cape Town and Nyanga, bringing phase one of the project to completion. Work will start soon for phase two – Nyanga to Chris Hani and Kapteinsklip.’
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As per News24, another challenge the reopening is facing is the relocation of shack dwellers, who built their homes on the line. To address this issue, the City of Cape Town has been working with the Housing Development Agency (HDA) to relocate them. Katlego Moselakgomo, HDA spokesperson, says the organisation acquired 8.7 hectares of land for the relocation of Phase one Langa in the Phillipi Wedge Area, adding that all the occupants of the line in Langa, Phillipi and Khayelitsha are willing to be relocated.
‘There is an ongoing process for the identification and acquisition of additional land required for the relocation programme, including engagement with the Department of Public Works for the release of strategically located land parcels in order to accommodate Phase 2 relocations.’
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