Dar es Salaam – The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) announced the immediate suspension of its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) services between Morogoro and Dodoma on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, citing safety concerns following extensive damage to the line caused by torrential downpours.
The decision to halt services was made after flash floods and heavy rains damaged sections of the track in the areas of Kidete in Kilosa district, Morogoro region, and Godegode in Mpwapwa district, Dodoma region.
In a statement, TRC Director General Machibya Shiwa confirmed that the suspension was a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.
As a result of the suspension, SGR services are now only operational between the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, and Morogoro. Passengers who had booked travel on the affected route have been advised to reschedule their journeys.
The TRC has not provided a specific timeline for the resumption of full services, stating only that repairs are underway and that services will resume once the line is deemed safe.
This is the latest in a series of disruptions to affect the new SGR line. On December 28, 2025, heavy rains and subsequent power outages caused significant delays and the stranding of hundreds of passengers at the main SGR station in Dar es Salaam. The TRC responded by adding extra train services to clear the backlog of passengers.
READ MORE: An Open Letter to Masanja Kungu Kadogosa, Director General of Tanzania Railway Corporation, on the SGR Ride and Travel Experience
Furthermore, in October 2025, an Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train, popularly known as the ‘Mchongoko,’ derailed at Ruvu station in the Pwani Region shortly after departing from Dar es Salaam.
While no fatalities were reported, the incident prompted a temporary suspension of services and raised questions about the operational safety of the new line.
The SGR is a flagship project of the Tanzanian government, intended to replace the country’s old metre-gauge railway. The first phase of the SGR, from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, was inaugurated in June 2024, with the second phase to Dodoma launching in July 2024.
The electric railway is designed to carry passengers at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour and is a critical component of the country’s economic development strategy.
