KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered the removal of encroachments on route of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project and installation of barbed-wire-fence along it to make the project fit for launching.
He made this decision while presiding over a meeting on KCR and other issues of railways here at the CM House, said a statement on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Transport Minister Syed Nasir Shah, Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Secretary Transport Taha Farooqui, GM Railways Javed Anwar, DS railways Karachi and Sukkur, joint director railways and other officers concerned.
Sindh Minister for Transport Syed Nasir Shah brieifng the meeting said that the CM had already approved Rs 45 million for preparing feasibility of KCR and the work was in progress.
On this CM Murad Ali Shah said that feasibility must be completed as soon as possible so that the same could be submitted for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Replying to a question the Transport Minister said that on the route of KCR there were 2600 small installations and 4500 houses and some people had started constructing new houses.
CM Sindh said that it was totally unacceptable and directed the Chief Secretary to get the encroachment removed on war footings and to start installing fencing along the route.
Secretary Transport Taha Farooqui said that out of 48 kilometers KCR 8 kilometers were under encroachment.
"The Sindh government along with Pakistan Railways have already conducted a survey and have identified the encroachments," he said.
The CM Sindh directed him to personally join the operation and keep him sending reports on daily basis from next week.
Railways official Javed Anwar told the CM Sindh that the handing over of the administration of Karachi Urban Transport Authority (KUTA) and possession of the KCR track and its land to KUTA the Ministry of Railways had constituted two different committees which would meet next week to make final decisions by meeting all requirements.
The CM said, "I am anxiously waiting for the decision because the Prime Minister has already assured sovereign guarantee for KCR and these things are most important to get the KCR formally included in the CPEC."
Murad was told that land of railways was under encroachment in Sukkur and Larkana for which support of Sindh government had been sought.
The CM Sindh directed the CS to direct the deputy commissioners concerned and get the railway's land vacated.
"It is my utmost effort to protect government lands and my cooperation and support will be with you," he assured the railways officials.
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