Quetta mass transit rail project chugs along

First phase to be ready by 2019

QUETTA: The Quetta Mass Transit Train System (phase I) would be completed by 2019 as work on the project is in full swing.

This was informed in a meeting between provincial authorities and officials of two Chinese companies – the China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) and the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) – held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday.

The project is part of the vision of Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Khan Zehri to provide economical and comfortable travel facility to the people of the provincial metropolis.



The meeting thoroughly reviewed the designing and feasibility report of the proposed project. Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Achakzai, Chief Secretary Balochistan Saifullah Chattah, Additional Chief Secretary Daud Barech, Divisional Superintendent Railway Hanif Gul, Director General GDA Dr Sajjad Baloch, Additional Commissioner Quetta, Deputy Commissioner Quetta while from the Chinese side Mr Zhang Bao, chairman COPHC and Mr Wang of CCCC were among the attendees in the meeting.

The meeting was briefed that the first phase of the project, costing $214 million, would be 48.5km long – from Kuchlak to Spizand – in which up to 10 railway stations, three overhead bridges and one tunnel would be constructed. In the second phase, more stations and business centres would be constructed and the people would be given more facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2016.