Karachi Circular Railway set for early completion

islamabad — The revival of Karachi Circular Railway would be completed in three years — by September 2020 — an official in the planning ministry said.

After becoming part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in December last year, it was decided that the government with the assistance of China would complete the project on a fast track basis.

“Earlier, the project was to be financed by the Japanese development agency, JICA, and was scheduled to be completed in 10 years but on the special directives of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, it was decided the project would be included in CPEC and would be completed within three years,” the official added.

The total cost of the project has also been reduced due to its completion in a lesser period, the official said, adding the total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs270.547 billion.

The official said a 43.2-km standard gauge double railway track (14.94-km at surface and 28.18-km elevated) would be constructed with allied structures on the existing land reserved for the KCR. The corridor will have 24 stations with an average station spacing of 1.8km.

The project would be undertaken by the governments of Sindh and China, while the ministry of planning would oversee the matter.

As many as 162 locomotives having a seating capacity of 250 would run at an average speed of 45-50km per hour.

Arrangements for the construction of a base station at Wazir Mansion, a car depot and a yard will also be made. — APP