CDA to set up transport terminal in sector I-18

Capital Development Authority (CDA) would set-up a transport terminal in sector I-18, around 40 km away from the center of the city, it was learnt on Sunday.
"The terminal would comprise a railway station, bus station and a dry port," a CDA official said, adding that it would be linked to Rawalpindi through a rail track from sector I-18 to Saddar via Loi Bher.
The official said the Authority has conducted a survey to identify suitable site for the project but any decision in this regard would be made after the final approval of the revised Master Plan of the capital city.
The Authority in co-ordination with the Railways Ministry would prepare a commercial and technical feasibility report on the construction of railway station. The ministry would handle technical details while CDA would monitor the execution of the project.
He said there was need to construct a new railway station as the old Margala Railway Station in sector I-9 was no more functional. In the past a weekly train service 'Ghandhara Steam' was operated from Rawalpindi Railway Station to Golra Station, which became dysfunctional and now serves as a mini railway museum.
The new terminal would be linked with the Capital City through a railway track and added that the existing track would also be extended from I-9 sector to the terminal.
A modern dry port would also be a part of the project. The new dry port will not only serve the traders of Islamabad and Rawalpindi but the trading community of Hattar, Taxila, Akora Khattak and Azad Kashmir will also benefit from this port.
The port would be equipped with all the modern facilities including stuffing and de-stuffing of containers, facility for direct transmission of data from sea ports to dry port, Internet and fax. Electronic Weigh Bridge is also proposed to be provided, the official said. A bus station would also be set up in the sector, which would be as vast as to accommodate hundreds of the buses to be plied between twin cities and other cities. The bus station would be facilitated with the modern facilities including proper parking places, waiting room, and offices.