The work on conversion of 135-km long metre gauge track into broad gauge from Mirpurkhas up to Monabao has started in full swing and will be completed by December 31, 2005 paving the way for start of train service between Pakistan and India through Khokhrapar-Monabao border from January 1, 2006. This was stated by Chairman Pakistan Railways, Shakeel Durrani and General Manager Abdul Wahab Awan while talking to APP after a detailed review of Mirpurkhas-Monabao track replacement project here on Tuesday.
Durrani said that originally the project cost was estimated at Rs 1.8 billion, out of which Rs one billion would be spent on track conversion in the first phase for the start of train service, while the second phase would involve the repair and renovation of buildings, water supply, etc.
He said it was under consideration to have a station at Zero point between Khokhrapar and Monabao, where immigration and customs formalities would be carried out.
General Manager Abdul Wahab said that the irst phase would also involve the strengthening of 133 bridges, including one major bridge.
Replying a question, Chairman PR said that Chinese technicians had rectified faults of four out of 10 locomotives.
He pointed out that China had already enhanced the warranty period from 3 to 5 years backed by bank guarantee for the locomotives supplied to Pakistan Railway. He said an agreement had been signed with the Chinese in this regard and Railway Minister had gone to China to finalise the related issues.
To another question, Shakeel Durrani said that first phase of the Karachi Circular Railway had already been started and being operated by Karachi Railway Division. Besides, a Task force consisting of State Minister for Railways, Ishaq Khakwani, Sindh Transport Minister Adil Siddiqi and City Nazim Naimatullah Khan was working on preparing modalities for the second phase of the KCR, which would be operated through a company named Karachi Urban Transport Company (KUTC).
He said that it has yet to be decided whether the funds required for second phase of the KCR would be raised through floating of Municipal Bonds or under Annual Development Programme.
General Manager Abdul Wahab said that entire work would be completed in 18 months.
Division Superintendent Railways Karachi, Junaid Qureshi informed that legal framework for the KCR Operator - the proposed Karachi Urban Transport Company -has been drafted and sent to the Sindh government for official notification of the same.
Answering a question, Abdul Wahab informed that 130 out of 1300 freight wagons being supplied by China had arrived, and another 130 were due to arrive in June 2005.
He said the railway was operating a fast container freight train composed of Chinese freight wagons on daily basis between Karachi and Lahore, covering the distance in just 26 hours. He said the entire supply of 1300 freight wagons would be completed in the next 18 months.
He said that freight business of the railway was gradually picking up and as a result ten regular freight trains were originating from Karachi daily.
Chairman Railways informed that the railway was carrying bulk freight like wheat, Afghan trade, oil products excluding white oil.
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