Work on KCR on track: Minister

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, has declared that the much publicized commercial project of Tijori Heights, located in Karachi’s bustling area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, had been built on Railways' land and people must refrain from any investment in it or cooperating with the builders. 

He made the announcement during a press conference at his camp office in Karachi adding that the unauthorized construction on the project had been put to halt by the railways' authorities.

"As many as 14 kilometers of the 30 kilometers of the KCR loop line, from City to Orangi stations, have been made clear and serviceable whereas further can be proceeded only after construction of flyovers/underpasses by the Sindh government,” the Railways' minister disclosed while highlighting the desperate need of civil works by the provincial government in the green line area in Nazimabad. 

The minister stated that 15 out of 40 coaches for the KCR revival project had been fully rehabilitated and the remaining 25 would be made functional in due course of time. He also indicated the floating of CPEC-based ML-1 project any time soon. 

While commenting about privatization of freight and passenger trains the minister stated that the private sector had given marvellous output during the last few weeks that might lead to complete privatization of freight operation in the near future. 

He concluded by expressing his desire for a smooth Karachi to Jalalabad freight corridor that would revolutionize the entire freight business of the country.

Railways on path of development: Minister

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, has said that the $6.8 billion tender for the ML-1 rehabilitation project would be floated soon which would revolutionize the railways' service in the country.

"The country will get massive economic benefit in the form of 150,000 jobs and significant surge in the freight business after conclusion of ML-1 project,” he remarked while talking to the media at his camp office in Karachi. 

He shared that the preparation of coaches for the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) was underway in Islamabad and the service would be revived as per the directives of apex court. 

"Rs.1.8 billion out of earmarked Rs 10.5 billion for the KCR project have been released and 9 kilometres track out of 14 kilometres in the planned first phase revival has been totally rehabilitated" he stated while describing Karachi City as the hub of railways' activities, particularly the freight business. 

Prior to press conference, the railways minister had strictly directed, in a meeting, the complete elimination of encroachments on railways' land alongwith taking stern action against the officers and official involved in the malpractice.

KCR revival promised at fast track

 By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, announced that the KCR revival project was progressing at fast track and it would be revived soon as per the directives of apex court. 

While talking to media at Shah Abdul Latif station of the KCR track he added that all the encroachments along the railways lines would be completely eliminated.

"Pakistan Railways is all set to spend Rs. 10.5 billion on the KCR rehabilitation project whereas the responsibility of constructing 24 over head bridges lies over the shoulders of provincial government,” he remarked while highlighting the complete liaison between Pakistan Railways and Sindh government on the historic project's revival. 

He further said that preparation of KCR coaches was in full swing in Islamabad and a model coach would soon be displayed at Cantonment station Karachi. 

The minister visited Gillani, Nazimabad, Gulbai and Shah Abdul Latif stations along the KCR track and inquired the progress of his department on the rehabilitation project. He was accompanied by CEO/Senior General Manager, Nisar Ahmad Memon, DS Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, and PD KCR, Ameer Mohammad Daudpota.

KCR beneficial both for commuters, investment

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Asad Umar, has reckoned that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) will be beneficial both for commuters and attractive for investment.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on the KCR to review the progress achieved on this mega project being implemented under the auspices of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

He directed the concerned officials to devise a strategy for Public-Private partnership for the KCR project. 

The meeting was informed that work on the KCR has already been undertaken in various phases and expected to it will be completed in the middle of 2023. 

The meeting was assured to take up the third phase of the KCR during current financial year. In order to ensure timely completion of each phase, the Ministry of Railways has been in contact with the Sindh government. For smooth and most convenient journey for the passengers as many as 24 flyovers and underpasses would be built during the project.

PKR 10.5 billion allocated for rehabilitation, implementation of KCR

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The government has allocated an amount of PKR 10.5 billion for rehabilitation and implementation of the Karachi Circular Railways (KRC) project under the auspices of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

According to details, the amount will be spent in phases in the identical manner as the ML-1 project, with the first phase to be followed shortly by the second phase. 

For the restoration of KCR, the most pressing demand of the people of the mega city, the Project Director, Amer Muhammad Daudpota, has informed that there was complete unanimity between the federal government and the provincial government. 

All bottlenecks in restoration of the much awaited KCR has finally been removed, he declared, much to the relief of the residents of Karachi.

Railways’ chairman visits KCR tracks

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The chairman of Pakistan Railways, Habib-ur-Rahman Gillani, has held important meeting regarding revival of the Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) project during his visit to the metropolis on August 10. 

The meeting was attended by Divisional Superintendent Karachi, Arshad Salam.Khattak, Project Director KCR, Ameer Mohammad Daudpota, Deputy DS, Farid Ahmad, besides concerned engineers working on the KCR project. 

The Railways chairman visited various stations and level crossings of the KCR project from City to Drigh Road while travelling en route Baldia, Shah Latif, SITE, Orangi, Nazimabad, Gillani and Urdu College stations. He also held a trolley inspection of the loop. 

He carried out a detailed review of KCR Revival project and directed that ongoing work be further accelerated so that the Karachiites could benefit from the revived KCR facility at the earliest. 

While inspecting the SITE area, he expressed concerns over the disposal of hazardous pollutants on the KCR track. 

He was informed by the DS Karachi that the Sindh government had been approached for resolution of this issue and it would soon be sorted out. 

The chairman, after visiting the area of Green Line route that crosses the KCR track in Nazimabad, called for expeditious communication with the relevant authorities so that the proposed underpasses or overhead bridges could be timely built. 

The Project Director KCR informed that various meetings had already been held with the Sindh government which has allocated Rupees three billion during the current fiscal year for this purpose.

Railways chief assures KCR revival in time

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Secretary, Ministry of Railways, and Chairman, Pakistan Railway Board, Sikandar Sultan Jalal visited Karachi and held a meeting reviewing the ten-day ongoing anti-encroachment drive for revival of the Karachi Circular Railway KCR) under the directives of Supreme Court.

The Secretary Railways, in his remarks, stated that he’s regularly receiving progress reports with regard to ongoing ant-encroachment campaign to clear tracks for the KCR. 

He regarded the progress being satisfactory and appreciated the efforts of the teams undertaking the task. 

"Now we are able to submit a positive and implementable report to the SC."' he said and described as commendable the efforts being made and steps taken by Commissioner Karachi, Divisional Superintendent Railways and all team members. 

He pointed out that the KCR was most imperative for the people of this ever sprawling city and everyone involved is making efforts to pave the way for revival of the KCR within the stipulated time frame.

He pointed out that all leases issued by Pakistan Railways would be examined by DS Railway Karachi Division and legal action taken accordingly. 

The leases issued by the likes of Board of Revenue and Katchi Abadis department of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would also be examined by respective agencies as per law and policy as per SC directives. 

Meanwhile, a 7 Members committee is being constituted with all stakeholder, departments and concerned to carry out basic homework and legal formalities for revive the KCR and to work out a most modern urban transport system on priority basis to meet the commuting needs of the people of this metropolis.

Federal Secretary Railways Sikandar Sultan Jalal lauded the efforts of Sindh government in the entire scenario and the steps taken by the Commissioner Karachi and said the Railways will extend its all cooperation to them to start the KCR project in time. 

The Commissioner Karachi, Iftikhar Shallwani, while welcoming the Federal Secretary Railway briefed him about on-going operation and said everyone involved was working for the accomplishment of this most important task. 

He assured that a positive and comprehensive report will be submitted to SC and measures taken accordingly for revival of KCR by Sindh Government for the people of Karachi.

The meeting was briefed by respective Deputy Commissioners about their progress of operation at their individual levels. 

They drew attention towards many important aspects to operation and revival of KCR. 

They reaffirmed of their determination for attainment of result oriented targets. 

The DS Railways, Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, and DIG Operation PR, Azhar Rasheed Khan, also briefed the visiting Secretary about steps taken and progress achieved so far during the operation. They hoped that the encroachments removed would not be allowed to resurface. 

Earlier Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani met the Federal Secretary and discussed important KCR related issues and its revival under SC directives. He reiterated his proposal for a trial run of a train on KCR route.

Railway official leaves for Japan to attend JICA Urban Transport training programme

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 The Divisional Superintendent Railways, Karachi, Anzer Ismail Rizvi, has left for Tokyo, Japan, to attend 15-day Urban Railway Development, Operation and Management Training Programme being organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from February 14.

 The programme will be attended by a total of 13 Pakistanis including seven from the Pakistan Railways.

 In a brief interview, prior to catching a connecting flight to Bangkok, Anzer Rizvi pointed out that the further development of Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan with its population of over 18 million, will be the focal point of discussion in the upcoming programme. 

 “The city is the centre of economic and trade activity. However since Urban Mass Transportation system has not been properly managed here, it is facing traffic congestion as well as air pollution. The JICA has been working on the preparatory study to revitalize the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) with an aim of improving current urban transportation system,” the Divisional Superintendent remarked.

 “Based on the JICA’s evaluation of past railway projects in other countries, it was found essential to ensure appropriate operation and management of the railway and have a well established organizational structure  that will be the in charge of the railways,” Anzer Rizvi explained.

 To assist the project, he added, the JICA proposed capacity development of professionals as well as their organizations that will be involved in the KCR project.

 He recalled that Japan has its long history of running various successful urban railways and the training program will be implemented with the purpose to provide participants with opportunities to learn specific knowledge concerning urban railways and contribute to the introduction of urban public transport and the solution of the urban transportation problems by administrative management in their respective organization.

 Meanwhile, the Federal Government has promoted Anzer Rizvi into Grade 21 and he received the information hours before starting his journey to Japan.