Madaraka Express train on the Standard Gauge Railway, Nairobi-Mombasa line. [Photo: @KenyaRailways_]Construction of the Sh6.3 billion second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is going on, and will pass through the Nairobi National Park, as planned.The Kenya Railways Corporation Managing Director Atanasi Maina has indicated that they have engaged stakeholders and have agreed on restoration and mitigation measures, and work plan, to ensure that the animals in the park are not affected, and the there will be no environmental hazards by the railway and the train.According to him, construction of the 4.5km tunnel at Embulbul, in Ngong is ongoing along the Nairobi - Naivasha line, and will be the longest in East Africa. He said an export processing zone will be constructed between Maahi-Mahiu and Suswa in Narok County, with aims to establish the centre, in terms of investment.
The Embulbul tunnel.
Addressing the press, Atanasi indicated Kenya Railways is currently working on a plan to ensure online ticketing for passengers using the Madaraka Express train, which is currently providing services to and from Nairobi and Mombasa counties.Passengers will be able to fill their details online, and confirm at the terminus before boarding the train.Early this year, construction of the second phase was stopped by the National Environment Tribunal, until it determines whether or not proper environmental assessment on the route was done.