The Minister of Transport in Angola recently inspected the Luanda Railway Segregation Project on the Bungo – Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (AIAAN) section, travelling by train in both directions to assess progress and conditions ahead of the reopening of rail traffic.
During the visit, the minister, accompanied by technicians and project managers, reviewed progress and outstanding constraints. Overall physical progress stands at 87.4%, reflecting the construction and rehabilitation of pedestrian walkways along the railway corridor.
Of the fifteen planned new pedestrian walkways, one has been completed. A further twelve of the twenty-seven walkways under the rehabilitation component have also been completed.
Constraints remain, particularly in securing access to sites for pedestrian walkways P1 (PK1+780), P2 (PK2+400), P4 (PK4+480), P5 (PK8+840) and P8 (PK19+175), located across the municipalities of Ingombota, Sambizanga, Hoji-Ya-Henda, Rangel, Cazenga and Mulenvos.
The visit also highlighted ongoing challenges affecting progress, including vandalism, the theft of barbed wire and metal posts used for railway perimeter security, and the dumping of waste along the corridor, especially in areas where works are underway.
The inspection between Bungo and the international airport enabled the verification of the condition of tracks, platforms and pedestrian access points ahead of the planned reopening of the Luanda – AIAAN section.
At the end of the visit, the minister emphasised the need to resolve remaining constraints, including the release of required spaces, the strengthening of security measures, and the mobilisation of resources to accelerate works where progress remains slow.
The project, aimed at restoring full operational capacity and improving mobility along the corridor, remains a priority.
