Govt Pledges To Shorten Detours On Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has pledged to shorten detours through wildlife areas along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road, following concerns from conservationists and tourism operators.

The temporary route, set up by contractor Asphalt Products, diverts traffic from Cross Mabale through Mpofu Turn, Dete Shops, and Cross Dete, cutting across the Hwange National Park buffer zone.

During a media tour, Ministry engineer Jarawani Kangara acknowledged that heavy traffic, especially haulage trucks carrying coal and other materials, was disturbing wildlife along the detour. Said Kangara:

“We are trying to reduce the kilometres of detours in the game parks and also shorten the construction period.

“That is why contractors are targeting completion next year, some around October.

“The aim is to minimise disturbance by finishing the project on time.

“Obviously, disturbances will be there, but the idea is to reduce them.

“We cannot say there are no disturbances, but we want to minimise them.”

Joy Makumbe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, said steps are being taken to reduce the environmental impact of the rehabilitation works.

More: CITE

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