CPEC to promote social contacts: Zehri

CM told first phase of train system will be completed by Dec2017.

QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would become an important source of promoting contacts in the province. “Construction of highways will help strengthen social contacts,” he said.

He expressed these views to DS Railway Haneef Gul who called on him here on Tuesday. DS Railway briefed the chief minister about Gwadar Mastung Railway Line, Quetta Mass Transit System and restoration of Sibi Harnai Railway Line. Vice Chairman Board of Investment Khowaja Humayun Nizami was also present in the meeting.

DS railway informed the chief minister that 40% of restoration work of Sibi-Harnai Railway line has been completed, adding that according to the scheduled time this project would have to be completed in 2018 but the pace of work has been expedited and this project would be completed in August 2017.

Vice Chairman Board of Investment and DS Railway briefing the chief minister about their recent visit to Beijing said that it has been decided with the Chinese authorities that the first phase of Quetta Mass Transit Train System’s project would be completed by December 2017.

They said that Quetta Mass Transit Train System would be a part of CPEC, and the Chinese authorities are taking deep interest in its construction, terming this project the crown of CPEC.

Zehri said that besides the construction of trade centers in Mass Transit Train System, plantation and greenery on both sides of the tracks should also be included in the project.

He said that the federal government would soon be contacted for the launching of proposed railway line project from Bostan to Zhob.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2016.