Pakistan-China finalises multi-billion MainLine-1 Railway Project: Railways Minister Rashid
Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid informed about his meeting with Chinese counterpart in which he concluded worth $8.2 bn ML-1 to reconstruct and upgrade Railway Tracks from Karachi to Peshawar. He was talking to media at Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing, China, when he said that Karachi-Peshawar Railway Line project is a strategic national project; he also appreciated PM Khan for paying great attention to this project. Rashid apprised that feasibility report of ML-2 (Fast Train) is also shared with Chinese correspondent and both have agreed to begin work on ML-2 in next three-four years, after the completion of ML-1. Mentioning the features of ML-1, Railways Minister said, it will increase speed from 65-105 kilometres per hour to 120-160 kilometres per hour, along with widening freight share of railways' transport from 4 per cent to 20 per cent.
Pakistan and China have finalised the multi-billion dollar Main Line-I (ML-I) project as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Wednesday.
“I held a meeting with my Chinese counterpart and fialised the $8.2 billion project,” he told media at Diaoyutai State Guest House.
Sheikh Rashid was part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s delegation during visit to China.
While expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking great interest in the project, he said the Main Line-I (ML-I), an important project for Pakistan Railways, has got a real shape after 14 years. The minister said he has also shared copies of a feasibility report of ML-2 (Fast Train) project with his Chinese counterpart. “We are planning to start work on the fast train project soon after the completion of ML-I in the next 3-4 years,” he said.
Sheikh Rashid said the ML-I will increase speed from 65-105 km/h to 120-160km/h, besides increase in freight volumes and railway’s share in freight transport from less than 4% to 20%. He said the length of railway track from Karachi to Peshawar will be around 1,800 kilometres and the new signaling system will be installed. “There will not be any crossing on the new track and all the existing railway crossings will be abolished after completion of the ML-I project,” he added.
He said the railway track will significantly reduce travel time from Peshawar to Karachi, adding that the project will prove to be a great milestone and open up new vistas of opportunities and progress for Pakistan. He said China’s investment of billions of dollars in Pakistan is a great example of trust between the two countries.
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