Prasa: R2.9bn needed to repair damaged infrastructure
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) says flood damage assessments have so far shown that nine sections of its railway infrastructure were severely affected in KZN.
The rail agency's cost estimates for repairs have run up to R2.9 billion.
It has also lost about R50 million in fare revenue due to the suspension of train services.
READ: Total cost of KZN floods more than R17bn, says Zikalala
Prasa's said in a statement that it hasn't yet been able to carry out inspections in areas that remain inaccessible.
It faces the enormous task now of rehabilitating and replacing tracks and repairing electrical infrastructure at substations.
The agency says crews will also replace signalling equipment, damaged fibre cables and fix drainage systems and the damages at the Illovo Bridge.
ALSO READ: VW South Africa donates R2m towards KZN flood relief efforts
Prasa says the repairs will take place in two phases to ensure that trains are able to travel safely through previously flooded areas.
Phase two will focus on the overall rehabilitation of its infrastructure.
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