Question NW2887 to the Minister of Transport
11 October 2023 - NW2887
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Transport
With regard to R/7/77-IR Rem of ptn 7 of the farm Benoni 77-IR (the Benoni Train Station), (a) by which date will the land be fenced off to prevent cable thieves from using it to burn cables, (b) by which date will the grass be cut and cleared in order to prevent the land from being used by criminals, (c) by which date is it envisaged that the Benoni Train Station will be restored and (d) what total amount has been allocated towards the restoration of the Benoni Train Station?
Reply:
a) Capital Intervention Programme has been earmarked for fencing off the area identified. A budget allocation of an estimated value of R5,000,000-00 for the project has been set aside. The project is currently being scoped and anticipated to be advertised by the end of October 2023. The estimated project duration would be three (3) months.
PRASA Rail Protection Service Department has also confirmed that Protection Services Officials are posted at Benoni Station on a rotation shift of 24 hours.
b) A horticultural ‘As and When Maintenance’ contractor has been appointed for this Corridor. Safety Induction is currently being executed by the Risk and Compliance Department for the appointed contractor. The anticipated date of clearing the site should be no later than the 25th of September 2023.
c) The resumption of the train service at Benoni and other train stations in the Daveyton Corridor are largely dependent on the restoration of the Boksburg Bridge, which was damaged during the gas explosion accident late last year. Fortunately, the contractor has been appointed to restore the bridge and the work is expected to be completed by August 2024. With the anticipated completion date of August 2024, the upgrade and rehabilitation of stations including Benoni train Station, will also be aligned for completion at the end of 2024 to ensure full operation of the trains and stations thereof.
d) A budget has been set aside for this current financial year. For the construction of Benoni Station for basic functionality of the station, once the corridor has been resumed for operational service.