ECNEC approves revival of Karachi Circular Railway

* Committee okays 20 projects valued at Rs 259.4 billion

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved on Thursday 20 projects – valued at Rs 259.4 billion with a foreign exchange component of Rs 149 billion – including the Rs 128.5 revival of the billion Karachi circular railway as a modern commuter system.

The railway project proposes idealisation of the loop along with the provision of two dedicated tracks along Pakistan Railways up main lines from Karachi city and Karachi Cantt to the Drig Road Station. The new system would be equipped with modern technology, and provide international standard travel facilities to about 700,000 commuters a day, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira told journalists after an ECNEC meeting.

Replying to a question, the minister said the meeting approved the Pakistan Railways Karachi project on the condition that a third party conduct a study for the scheme.

Another important Railways project – valued at Rs 15.9 billion – for the procurement and manufacture of 202 new design passenger coaches of various types was also approved. The carriages would be capable attaining speeds of 160 kilometres per hour, and incur lesser maintenance cost. The government has already approved the purchase of 75 Railways engines to enhance operational capacity.

Ten projects – likely to cost Rs 57.5 billion – for small and medium dams were also approved. These include revised projects for Satpara Dam and Sabakzai Dam and small and medium projects for Ghabir Dam, Papin Dam, Winder Dam, Daraban Dam, Pelar Dam and other multipurpose dams.

The meeting also approved the ‘New Khanki Barrage Construction Project’ – valued at Rs 23.442 billion. The Sukkur barrage rehabilitation and improvement project – likely to cost Rs 1.87 billion – was also approved.

ECNEC also endorsed the ‘Kabul River and Warsak Canal System’ project – valued at Rs 4.53 billion’. The meeting also approved ‘Pyara Kashmir Programme’ in Azad Jammu and Kashmir worth Rs 10.72 billion.