Illegal Drilling Causes Major Disruption To Gautrain Services

Gautrain commuters are facing major delays after illegal drilling on private property above the tunnel caused water and soil to seep into the underground rail system. The disruption has halted train operations between Park and Rosebank stations, with officials scrambling to contain the damage.

According to the Gautrain Management Agency, the drilling was conducted without authorisation under the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act (GTIA). Spokesperson Albi Modise confirmed that the unauthorised activity compromised the tunnel’s stability, forcing a temporary suspension of services.

“This illegal activity caused the ingress of water and soil into the tunnel, affecting our ability to operate between these two stations,” Modise stated.

Temporary Bus Service

To ease passenger inconvenience, a temporary Gautrain bus replacement service has been introduced between Park and Rosebank stations. Officials have assured commuters that additional buses will be deployed if needed to accommodate the surge in demand.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we continue our investigations to identify the owners of the property where the drilling took place. At the same time, we are working on remedial measures to restore full services as soon as possible,” Modise added.

Authorities Urge Compliance with Construction Laws

The Gautrain Management Agency has apologised for the disruption and emphasised the importance of adhering to legal procedures when undertaking construction projects near transport infrastructure.

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“We urge all stakeholders to follow due process when making land use changes or initiating construction near critical transport infrastructure in Gauteng. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Modise warned.

Gautrain, an 80-kilometre high-speed commuter rail system, connects Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park, and OR Tambo International Airport. While parts of the network run underground, the remainder operates above ground.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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