Contrary to recent media reports suggesting that the Accra to Nsawam section of the Eastern Railway line is a newly constructed one, it has turned out that the Accra-Nsawam railway track was constructed between 1910 and 1912.
There was a recent media report suggesting that the Accra-Nsawam line is a new track that has been washed away by flood waters at Achimota.
However, construction of the Accra-Nsawam railway line started as far back as 1910 and ended 1912 when Ghana was still under colonial rule.
Indeed, the Accra-Nsawam railway line is about 110-years old and its construction was carried out by the colonial administration at the time.
Documents from the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) show that from 1912, the said track did not undergo any major repair works until May 2018 when the ongoing rehabilitation commenced on the line.
"After obtaining all the procurement approvals, the actual work was scheduled to commence on 21st May 2018. However, this delayed until early July, 2018 due to the late arrival of some of the earth moving equipment and the treated wooden sleepers to be used. On 1st January 2019, a locomotive was able to travel on the railway line from Accra to Nsawam, successfully."
The Accra-Nsawam railway line is a narrow gauge with wooden sleepers.
However, all newly constructed railway lines under the President Nana Akufo-Addo's Government are standard gauge.
Also, the sleepers for all newly constructed lines are concrete and not wooden as is the case with the Accra-Nsawam line.
The Accra-Nsawam railway line stretches a distance of about 40km and is part of the Eastern Railway line.
It has been used purposely for passenger rail services for the past 10 years, providing transport services.
In July 2017, according to the Ghana Railway Company Limited, it became necessary that the railway line from Accra to Nsawam be examined due to its deteriorating state, which had made it unsafe for commuters.
As a result, the Ministry of Railways Development (MoRD) constituted a team of experts to thoroughly examine the condition and state of the rail line and rolling stock, GRCL says.
"A decision was taken by the MoRD after the team of experts submitted their findings to the Minister, which subsequently led to the closure of the line from Accra to Nsawam to allow for a complete track rehabilitation," according to GRCL.
Cause of Erosion
GRCL says another factor that led to the delay in completion of the rehabilitation works was erosion.
"This was caused by increase settlements which resulted to an increase in the volume of the runoff water from said settlements that led to major erosion at sections along the railway line," GRCL pointed out in a statement.
"Poor drainage systems at these settlements also led to redirection of huge volumes of runoff water from these settlements to the railway track resulting in big pockets of erosion to track formation," according to Railway Company.
Interventions
Meanwhile, the Ghana Railway Company Limited indicated the construction of catch drains to reduce the volume and speed of water being redirected to the track from upper areas at Pokuase to prevent erosions and flooding.
"To effect the track rehabilitation, 23,000 treated wooden sleepers, 50,000 cubic meters of ballast were procured and used on the line during the project."
Latest Stories
-
Don’t allow people to manipulate you into vaccine hesitancy – Dr Adipa-Adappoe
6 mins -
Suspend implementation of Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0 for 2024 – Stakeholders
12 mins -
Parkinson’s disease no longer confined to the elderly – Public Health Physician, Dr Momodou Cham warns
17 mins -
Persons living with Parkinson’s disease appeal for support as they face stigmatization
31 mins -
36-year-old-trader sentenced for stealing employer’s money
34 mins -
9 signs you’re falling in love with someone who thoroughly enjoys emotional manipulation
40 mins -
Catholic Diocese of Keta Akatsi hosts Parkinson’s support group meeting
43 mins -
Wa Naa appeals to Akufo-Addo to audit state lands in Wa
1 hour -
5 secret ways people use ‘I love you’ as a form of manipulation
1 hour -
The most important question to ask yourself
1 hour -
Department of social welfare sensitises residents of Nabdam on child protection
1 hour -
Ghanaians must assess the quality of political leaders presented – Asah-Asante
2 hours -
Ashanti Regional Minister demands withdrawal of ‘fraudulent ECG bills’ sent to his residence
2 hours -
Delta Air Lines deploys new Airbus on Accra-New York route
2 hours -
PPDC spearheads Africa’s AI development at DRIF24 forum
2 hours