KCR project to be up and running in six months, Rasheed informs NA

• Rasheed said that the federal and provincial governments are on the same page in materializing this project.
• 550 vulnerable unmanned level crossings throughout the Pakistan Railways network have been upgraded in collaboration with respective provincial governments to prevent accidents in the future.

The much delayed Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project will be operationalized in six months period, informed Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Wednesday.

The minister while responding to a question during the Question Hour session in the National Assembly (NA) was optimistic that the KCR project will be operationalized in the above mentioned time frame in collaboration with the Sindh Government.

Rasheed said that the federal and provincial governments are on the same page in materializing this project. The Railways minister added that the illegally constructed housing colonies on railways land alongside financial issues are the top hurdles obstructing the flow of progress.

Responding to another question, Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Farrukh Habib informed the House that 550 vulnerable unmanned level crossings throughout Pakistan Railways network have been upgraded in collaboration with respective provincial governments to prevent accidents in future.

Habib said that the kerosene oil-based signals have been converted to LED lights on mainline, which have better visibility, whereas, cameras are being installed inside the locomotives, while online inspection of officers and staff is also being ensured.

The Parliamentary Secretary informed the NA that some two thousand fire extinguishers will be installed on trains by the end of this month.