KCR will take another 3 years at least

Provisional cost of the project is currently estimated at $2.9 billion

KARACHI: The Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), which has created much hype recently courtesy the anti-encroachment drive to clear its tracks, may not be realised for another three years at least.

Pakistan Railways Divisional Superintendent Arshad Islam Khattak admitted as much to the media, while on an inspection visit to the site of the Ghareebabad track on Thursday. He cited the proposed design and the "current situation of the city" for the time frame, adding that according to provisional estimates, the revival of the KCR could now cost as much as $2.9 billion.

"The old tracks simply aren't efficient enough anymore," he said. "A whole new track needs to be laid out for KCR, in which flyovers will be built at 29 railway crossings."



Satisfactory work

Addressing the media during his inspection visit of the KCR track at Ghareebabad, he declared the operation satisfactory. He said that the federal minister of Railways has directed to complete the anti-encroachment operation without any loss to material or life. "This is the reason for the extreme caution being exercised in this case," he said. "No residential building is being demolished for now as a prior notice of 45 days will be issued before the removal of residential structures."

He also praised the role of the city administration and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation in clearing the encroachments from the track.

During his visit, Khattak met residents whose houses were built over the tracks and assured them that they would be provided alternative space before their houses were demolished.

In response to a query by the media, he said that there were times when the Railways staff endangered their lives if they tried to conduct an anti-encroachment operation in Karachi. "But now, the situation has changed and after the Supreme Court's order, citizens of Karachi also want the KCR to be restored as soon as possible," he claimed.



Responding to another question regarding the availability of funds for the project, he said that the anti-encroachment drive would send a good signal to investors and that they would reach out to foreign investors once the design was approved. Investment for KCR can also be acquired from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Pakistan Railways can also draw up capital by selling its land.

Meanwhile, the four-day deadline for the anti-encroachment drive in District Central ended on Thursday. The drive could not be completed, however, due to the excessive encroachments and absence of proper planning. The process of clearing trash and garbage dumps from Gahreebabad Railway Crossing to Liaquatabad Railway station commenced on Thursday and will continue until they are cleared from the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2018.