Sindh govt to run 12 km trial runs on local trains in Karachi
Sindh govt to run 12 km trial runs on local trains in Karachi
KARACHI (Dunya News) - The Federal and Sindh governments have agreed on a plan to run local trains on a 12 km long trial run during the next two months, with it being connected to modern circular railway system in the second phase.
A meeting regarding decisions taken in the council of common interests (CCI) meeting and the implementation of Supreme Court directives regarding circular train was held in Karachi on Saturday. Important decisions were taken during the meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar.
They discussed how local trains could be started in the next few months and whether the KCR could jeopardize the local train system. The meeting decided that local trains would run a distance of 12 km (from City Station to Site) on a trial basis for the next two months.
It was also decided that a highly professional advisor will be hired to study how modern KCR system could be adapted to the local train system.
Secretary Railways Habib-ur-Rehman briefed about the three phased projects. The first phase includes construction of a single line track, rolling off stock, deputation of human resources and operations. In the second phase, tracks, signaling, underpasses, fencing and flyovers will be constructed.
In the third phase, transaction advisory services will be launched for modern urban rail-based mass transit, PPP mode, financial model and cross-subsidized models such as government model and land trading.
Chairman P&D Sindh Muhammad Waseem said that all encroachments have been removed and the government will build fences on the routes as well as flyovers and underpasses.
The Sindh Chief Minister said that the federal government has to decide whether KCR will remain within the framework of CPEC or not. If it will, necessary steps should be taken to get loans for the project and if not, other ways and means to start the project need to be sought as KCR is the only solution to Karachi’s transport problem.
