Kidatu

Kidatu is a town in central Tanzania, located in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region. The local population is about 3300. The primary economic activity is the large Illovo sugar cane plantation and factory which produces 130,000 tons of sugar per year.[1]

Kidatu, Tanzania
Kidatu, Tanzania
Location in Tanzania
Coordinates: 07°42′00″S 36°57′00″E
Country Tanzania
RegionMorogoro Region
DistrictKilombero District
Elevation
965 ft (294 m)
Time zoneUTC+3 (East Africa Time)
ClimateAw

Geography

It lies on plains to the south of mountains to the north.


Transport

Kidatu is the terminus of a 107 km branch line from Kilosa off the Central line of Tanzania Railways Corporation built between 1958 and 1963. This line is 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge.[2] In the 1970s, the newer TAZARA railway, which is 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), passed through.

It is about 300 km from Dar es Salaam via the north or via TAZARA.

Transshipment hub

Since 1998, a transshipment station has been provided to overcome the break-of-gauge at this location.[3] This hub connects the large 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) zone of southern Africa and bypasses congestion at Dar es Salaam.

Under a deal with Tanzania, metre gauge trains that connect with 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) trains at Kidatu are operated by the Trans Africa Railway Corporation.[4][5]

The hub carries about 160,000t of traffic per year.

Industry

Kidatu has a sugar mill.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Sugar Factories of Tanzania: Kilombero: Illovo Sugar".
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2008-05-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Uganda Govt Looks Forward to Regional Railway Link-up". The East African. 19–25 October 1998. Archived from the original on 23 November 2001.
  4. Historic rail deal for Tanzania | African Business | Find Articles at BNET.com
  5. "Trans Africa Railway Corporation Tanzania (TARC)". Imbani Group Companies. Archived from the original on 2012-09-03.
  6. Goliath Sugar

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