Federal government has allocated Rs 1.5 billion for the rehabilitation, restoration and development of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project.
According to Project Director Ameer Muhammad Daudpota, the allocation of Rs 10.5 billion for KCR’s first and second phases is aimed at its development and construction on the basis of Mainline-1 (ML-1) railway project.
In the first phase of KCR’s development, railway track from city station to Orangi will be stored, whereas the railway track between city station and SITE area has already been restored, and the route between SITE and Organgi is under construction.
Meanwhile, post third phase of KCR, the project will be given the status of rapid mass transit project with the help of public-private partnership, said Mr Daudpota.
The project director is hopeful that the restoration and development of KCR will significantly improve the public transport issue in Sindh and that Pakistan Railways both provincial and federal governments are united, committed and have the same point of view regarding the restoration of KCR.
It is imperative to know that the US$ 6.8 billion ML-1 project is a part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and includes the upgrading and dualisation of the 1,872 kilometres long railway track between Peshawar and Karachi.
Prior to this Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) had reprimanded government officials over delay in KCR project, and directed relevant authorities to duly address the hurdles in the completion of the project.