Pakistan Railways seeks Rs. 11.022 billion upgradation of ML – 1

The Pakistan Railways has notified that it requires a total sum of Rs. 73 billion in the next Public Sector Development Programme (PSPD) budget for the fiscal year 2018 – 19 In order to complete and launch new and existing projects. The company also said that it requires a total of Rs. 11.062 billion for upgradation of Main Line (ML – 1), establishment of dry port near Havelian under CPEC and reopening of Rail car track between Kohat and Rawalpindi.

The Railway Company has said that it requires a sum of Rs. 70.500 billion for the completion of ongoing projects whereas requires a total of Rs. 2.500 billion for the new and upcoming projects in the coming fiscal year.

The company said that of the total sum required, Rs. 5.861 billion will be utilized to acquire 585 Hopper Wagons and 20 bogie brake vans for the transportation of coal across the different routes within the country.

Furthermore, a sum of Rs. 6558.524 million has been purposed for rehabilitation of 27 HGMU-30 class diesel electric locomotives. Rs 7,142.102 million has been purposed for rehabilitation of rolling stock, tack, repairing of 800 coaches, 2,000 wagons and acquisition of land for railway container yard, station and railway line from sea port to coastal highway at Gwadar respectively.

The official said that 1,703.5 million has also been suggested in the PSDP for doubling of existing track from Port Qasim to bin Qasim Station, feasibility study to connect Gwadar with Karachi, and feasibility from Gwadar to Besima and from Besima to Jacobabad via Khuzdar. The sources said that Rs 11,022.634 million has been purposed for preliminary design for up-gradation of main line (ML-1), establishment of dry-port near Havelian under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and hiring of design vetting consultations and reopening of rail car from Kohat to Rawalpindi on experimental basis.