Tanzania government moves to acquire land for Dar’s bus rapid transit expansion

Dodoma. The government has revealed plans to take over 233,000 square meters of land in Dar es Salaam’s Kinondoni and Ubungo municipalities for the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) infrastructure development.

The Minister for Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, Deogratius Ndejembi, officially communicated the takeover intention on November 6, 2024, before publication in the Government Gazette on November 29, 2024.

The government’s notice, which outlines the plan for the land’s acquisition, specifies that the areas, which include residential land at the intersection of Bagamoyo Road and Kunduchi (Mbuyuni), will be used for public purposes.

Properties to be acquired include land on Sam Nujoma Road, near the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and Mlimani City, as well as land owned by Ubungo Municipality at the Simu2000 and Boko Basihaya areas.

The government has set a six-week deadline, starting from the date of the publication of the announcement, for individuals claiming ownership or land rights to present their proof to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development.

Directives say those who fail to comply or obstruct the process could face fines up to Sh5,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

According to reliable sources to the matter, the land will be used for the expansion of the DART infrastructure and is expected to be developed in three phases.

The land includes Simu 2000: 35,000 square meters to be allocated for a workshop, Sam Nujoma, and the UDSM (24,000 square meters) for the bus parking terminals.

Others are the Bagamoyo Road and Kunduchi (Mbuyuni): 156,000 square meters that will be used for the construction of the main workshop.

Speaking to The Citizen, Dart Director-General Athuman Kihamia confirmed that the areas would serve as key depots for the transit system.

He noted that the government was currently conducting land valuations in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, and the Chief Government Valuer.

“Compensation will be paid once the valuation has been completed,” said Dr Kihamia, declining to specify which owners would be compensated this time.