Electric trains for Karachi, Karachi Circular Railway (KCR)

In a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar reviewed the current status and speed of work on Karachi Circular Railway (KCR).

The secretary of Pakistan Railways discussed with the minister that the Karachi Circular Railway project was on track with the timelines given by the ministry.

He informed that the KCR envisages the building of a 43-km long world-class inexpensive mass transit system using environment-friendly electric trains.

The minister was also informed on Freight Corridor from Keamari to Pipri Marshalling Yard.

The Freight Corridor project, envisions the up-gradation of a 50-km committed freight corridor from Karachi Port to Pipri.

The project also comprises the expansion of an Inland Marshalling Yard at Pipri.

The Project is apparent to internment 40% of the cargo is meant to be ecstatic to the upcountry.

Pakistan Railways is directed by Asad Umar to achieve all the procedures at the earliest and guarantee to make all the essential preparations for the groundbreaking of the KCR substructure by September 2021.

All concerned officials guarantee the achievement of the expansions within the timelines.

The planning minister stated these developments were precarious for the socio-economic security of the people of Karachi.

Federal Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Secretary Planning, Secretary Railways, Chief Executive Officer PPP Authority, and senior officials of both ministries contributed to the meeting.

The Karachi Circular Railway project will be completed in three phases, claimed Pakistan Railways.

The length of the KCR project was 43.13km, including 14.95km on the ground and 28.18km preeminent.

The project will have 24 stations and its per-day ridership would be around 550,000.

The second phase will increase operations to a seven-kilometer track running from Orangi Station to Gilani Station, while the third will see trains running over a nine-kilometer stretch between Gilani Station and Drigh Colony.

The KCR second phase will cost Rs 8.70 billion, whereas, the third phase would be finished under a public-private partnership