China shows keen interest in feasibility of ML-II & ML-III railway tracks

ISLAMABAD, May 9: China Wednesday expressed keen interest in initial feasibility study on Main Line (ML) II (Kotri-Attock) and ML-III (Rohri-Chaman) railways tracks, and to complete them under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Vice President of China Railways Construction Corporation (CRCC) Yang showed the interest during a meeting with Chairman Ministry of Railways Javed Anwar here, a press release said.

"Yang showed interest in initial feasibility study on Main Line (ML) II (Kotri- Attock line) and ML III (Rohri –Chaman Line). CRCC wants to do it under umbrella of CPEC.” The chairman extended all possible collaboration between the two organizations.

The meeting discussed that the two organizations had ‘agreed upon cooperation’ under article 1 of Framework Agreement between Pakistan Railways and its Chinese counterpart.

Four Chinese companies are already working under this synchronization.

The Ministry of Railways always had asked for competitive bidding for its projects and appreciated the participation of the CRCC in bidding of ML II feasibility study.

Even a consultant has been hired for feasibility study of Rohri –Taftan and Quetta –Kotla jam sections, it added. Among others, the meeting was attended by Secretary Railway Board Zubair Shafi Ghouri, Director General (DG) Planning Mazhar Ali Shah, DGTechnical Munawar Ali Shah and DG Operations Maryam Gillani. (APP)