Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) is set to embark on an ambitious project to alleviate the chronic traffic congestion plaguing Ngong Road.

The state-owned corporation is proposing the construction of a new metre gauge railway line that will link Ngong town to Nairobi's central business district.

The proposed Riruta-Ngong Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) Commuter Project is estimated to cost Sh8.2 billion and will traverse Dagoretti South and Lang'ata sub-counties in Nairobi before terminating in Ngong, Kajiado County.

To facilitate seamless connectivity, the line will branch off from the existing Nairobi-Kikuyu railway at Riruta.

According to an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the project is anticipated to be completed within a year, followed by a 12-month defect liability period.

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"The proposed Riruta–Ngong Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) Commuter Project is envisaged to cost approximately Sh8.2 billion. The works are estimated to be completed within a construction period of 12 months with a 12-month defect liability period during which the contractor is expected to maintain the system and carry out repair works which may occur to the satisfaction of the proponent and supervision project engineers," KRC stated in the ESIA.

To enhance accessibility, the railway line will feature four stations strategically located in Lenana, Karen, Bulbul, and Ngong. Additionally, a three-kilometre bridge will be constructed from the Southern Bypass to Karen Shopping Centre.

KRC is optimistic that the new railway line will significantly improve transportation for commuters travelling between Ngong and Nairobi's CBD, thereby easing the burden on the heavily congested Ngong Road.