Rail link to Thar coal mines: Railway refuses to start work before Sindh government pays Rs 39.6 million

The Ministry of Railways has refused to undertake the work aimed at linking Thar and other coalfields with its Badin-Hyderabad section and Karachi Port until it is paid at least Rs 39.6 million by the Sindh government, it is learnt. According to sources, the Sindh government had written a letter to the Secretary/Ministry of Railways regarding feasibility study to set up broad-gauge railway line for Thar and other coalfields.
The Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy Services Limited (PRACS), a subsidiary of Pakistan Railways, was entrusted the job of feasibility study for linking Thar coalfields with the main railway line, sources said. They said that the firm, along with Sindh Coal Authority officials, had carried out preliminary survey for examining possibility of providing rail connectivity from Vervai/lslamkot to the appropriate station on Badin-Hyderabad section of Pakistan Railway to avoid larger route length.
The firm also carried out survey to provide rail link to Sindh's other coalfields, such as Korio Gahnawer, Khor Wah, district Badin, Mulla Katiar, district Tando Muhammad Khan and Sonda, Jhirk, Thatta district in the month of July, they added. They said the same consultant firm had also carried out reconnaissance field survey and identified at least seven rail routes in 2005.
The firm recommended Varvai-lslamkot-Mithi-Naukot-Mirpurkhas-Hyderabad as the best route as it would connect all important locations like Islamkot, Mithi and Hyderabad. The selected route was also approved by a railway committee. A presentation about the route was also given to the then chief minister, who had also approved it, they added.
Sources said that a presentation on this project was made by the Managing Director to the Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on February 9, 2010, adding that the PRACS had already submitted the preliminary survey report and PC-II for linking Thar and other coal mines with main railway line ie Lahore-Karachi. However, the consultancy fee amounting to Rs 22.9 million was not paid to the PRACS, soutces said.
Former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, who attended the meeting last month, had also instructed the consultancy firm to undertake the feasibility study for design and survey of the shortest route from Thar coalfields to Karachi Port. The PRACS is yet to be paid Rs 22.9 million for the job already completed and report submitted to the Sindh government, but the matter is being delayed by provincial authorities, they said.
Moreover, the preliminary report of the section Thar coal mines to Karachi Port and detailed study including topographical survey, design of track profile, railway station, signalling, telecommunication and electric systems, preliminary drawings of the yards and major facilities would cost an additional Rs 16.5 million, according to PRACS letter forwarded to Sindh Chief Secretary.