The Mozambican government is in talks with the Zimbabwean authorities about extending the Machipanda railway line to Botswana. The line currently connects Zimbabwe to the port of Beira.

The project, a tripartite initiative involving Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, includes the construction of a deep-water port, linking the aforementioned countries by rail.

Speaking yesterday, Monday (08), in Maputo, the President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, during the ceremony for the Inauguration of the Duplication and Increase in Capacity of the Ressano Garcia Railway Line and the Expansion of the Passenger Rail Terminal at Maputo Central Station, revealed that discussions on the subject will take place with this hinterland country in the coming weeks.

"On this line [Machipanda] we are working with our brothers in the Republic of Zimbabwe so that we can connect to Botswana. Later this week we will possibly evolve this vision to make them understand," said Filipe Nyusi.

Cited by AIMThe statesman also mentioned the rehabilitation of the Dona Ana Line, which connects to Malawi, as one of his concerns.

"Our goal, through Empresa Pública Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique, is to increase the cargo handled in our transportation infrastructures," he said.

(Photo DR)