The governments of Pakistan and China are going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on up-gradation and rehabilitation of railways network under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on March 23, revealed the Railways Ministry officials.
Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Railways, Secretary of Railways Ministry said that under the CPEC Main Line (ML-1) ie railway network from Karachi-Peshawar would be upgraded in the first phase. Karachi-Lahore railway track has already been doubled while the remaining track upto Peshawar would be doubled. Railways officials further said that under the CPEC dry port would be set up at Havailia, while the signalling system, stations and tracks would be up-graded and rehabilitated. A feasibility study would be carried out in this regard. Main Line (ML-2) would be up-graded in the medium term.
Pakistani and Chinese governments have agreed for the establishment of the CPEC from China border to the Karachi and Gwadar ports. During the 2nd Joint Co-operation Committee (JCC) meeting held in Beijing on 19-02-2014, the rehabilitation and Up-gradation of Main Line -1 (From Havelian to Karachi) and the construction of new dry port/cargo handling facility at Havelian were declared as High Priority Early Harvest projects (HPEHPs), Railways officials added.
In this context, several meetings were held at the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Planning to finalise the modalities, Terms of Reference (TORs), Framework agreements and financing arrangements etc to streamline the work for joint feasibility study. A 13-member Chinese Railways technical team headed by Director General Transport Planning and Research Institute, Ministry of Transport, China along with officials of the NHA and Pakistan Railways visited proposed route of the CPEC from April 14 to 21, 2014. After inspection and detailed deliberations, both sides agreed to carry out a joint Feasibility Study for Up-gradation of ML-1 and construction of New Dry port at Havelian. It was also decided that new rail link will also be provided from Gwadar to Jacobabad via Besima and Khuzdar (1050 Kms) and from Gwadar to Karachi (700 Kms) so as to provide rail connectivity of Gwadar port to the existing railways network and also rail linkage between two ports. The project was declared Medium Term project, as Phase II project of ML-1 and before going for the construction at the site, feasibility study will be carried out.
In this regard, the Feasibility study for laying new rail track from Gwadar to Mustung was carried out during the year 2003-04 which includes track from Gwadar to Besima. As such, feasibility study from Besima to Jacobabad via Khuzdar still needs to be carried out. PC-II amounting to Rs 135.50 million has already been approved by Planning Commission Islamabad. As per directives of the CDWP, the Terms of Reference (TORs) has been sent to Ministry of Railways for sharing with Chinese counterparts to obtain their consent and to ensure compatibility with the Chinese requirements as the project will be funded by the Chinese government if declared as feasible by the consultants. Feasibility Study shall be carried out during next financial year ie 2015-16.
However, the Committee's members expressed deep concerns over the proposed PCEC, saying that the nation has been kept in dark about the project. Kamil Ali Agha said that the nation must be told that only existing network will be upgraded under the CPEC. He further said that if the existing network is going to be upgraded then why the government is claiming of brining investment to the country and spreading hate in the country.
Director General Technical Munawar Shah said that 73 acres land meant for Railways track has been transferred in the name of Pakistan Railways after payment of 100% compensation to the affected land owners. To cater for the balance payment of Rs 647.384 million, revised PC-I for the amount of Rs 1332 million has been submitted to Planning Commission and is under process for approval.
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