By our correspondence
Tanzania’s Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) has intensified implementation of the Second Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP II), underscoring the government’s commitment to upgrading urban transport infrastructure and improving mobility across the commercial capital.
The project, valued at more than 517 billion Tanzanian shillings, covers the construction and rehabilitation of approximately 250 kilometres of roads across all five municipalities of Dar es Salaam.
TARURA said it has maintained close oversight of construction quality, implementation speed, and value for money, highlighting the agency’s technical capacity and institutional focus on delivering infrastructure that meets long-term urban development needs.
Under DMDP II, the agency is not only building asphalt and concrete roads but also integrating broader urban infrastructure elements, including stormwater drainage systems, pedestrian walkways, street lighting, and road safety markings.
The integrated approach is intended to ensure that the infrastructure serves all categories of users while improving long-term durability.
The impact is already becoming visible in Ubungo, Kinondoni, Ilala, Temeke, and Kigamboni, where residents are reporting improved economic opportunities, stronger business activity, lower transport costs, and rising land values.
Officials said the upgraded roads are also helping address long-standing urban challenges such as flooding, traffic congestion, and limited access to social services.
Alongside the construction programme, TARURA said it is continuing public awareness efforts to educate communities on the importance of protecting and maintaining the new infrastructure.
The agency warned that human activities such as indiscriminate waste dumping, uncontrolled sand excavation, and misuse of road corridors could undermine the durability of the roads and increase future maintenance costs.
To address this, TARURA said it is working closely with local government authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement, including taking action against those who damage public infrastructure.
The agency said community cooperation remains critical to ensuring the long-term return on the substantial public investment.
DMDP II is emerging as a key example of Tanzania’s broader urban infrastructure drive, with TARURA positioning itself at the centre of efforts to deliver standards-based, citizen-focused road projects in both urban and rural areas.
The agency said the long-term success of the project will depend not only on engineering quality but also on public participation in safeguarding the infrastructure.
