By Yankho Banda

Lilongwe, June 24, Mana: Residents around Areas 49 and 25 in Lilongwe have expressed excitement over the ongoing construction of Kaunda Road, which stretches from the Mchinji Roundabout to Area 25, saying it will significantly ease traffic congestion in the area.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Benjamin Ziba, a motorcyclist operating around the Area 51 roadblock, said the current road is too narrow and often causes traffic jams, especially around Areas 25, 49, and 51.

“The new road will help reduce congestion. The current road is simply too small for the growing traffic,” Ziba said.

He also reassured business operators along the route not to worry about losing their space, as the new road design will accommodate all road users.

“The road will not take up all the space. There will still be areas where businesses can operate freely,” he added.

Gift Black, a clerk at Plem Construction Company, the firm contracted to carry out the project, said the road construction will cover a 4.7-kilometer stretch, extending from the Mchinji Roundabout to Areas 25 and 51.

“It’s going to be a dual carriageway, which means an extra 20 meters will be added on each side of the existing road. This will involve removing trees and informal shops operating along the roadside,” Black explained.

Mary Kalimba, a chapati vendor along the road, welcomed the project, expressing hope that it will help reduce road accidents, particularly those involving motorcyclists.

“There are so many motorbikes now, and the new road will create safer conditions for all of us,” she said.