Sindh

Railways secretary reviews operation for Karachi Circular Railway revival

Jalal lauded the efforts of the Sindh government and the steps taken by Karachi commissioner

Press Release May 28, 2019

Jalal lauded the efforts of the Sindh government and the steps taken by Karachi commissioner. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Federal Railways Secretary and Pakistan Railways Board Chairperson Sikandar Sultan Jalal visited Karachi on Monday. A meeting to review the on-going anti-encroachment drive for the revival of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) as per Supreme Court's (SC) orders was held at Karachi commissioner's office.

Jalal lauded the efforts of Karachi Commissioner, Railways divisional superintendent (DS) and all other team members of the anti-encroachment drive. He said he had been receiving daily progress reports, and would be able to submit a positive report to the SC.

Jalal said that all efforts were being made to pave the way for the revival of KCR and under SC's direction, the project would be completed within the deadline.

In this regard, all leases issued by the Pakistan Railways would be examined by Railways DS and legal action would be taken accordingly. Other leases issued by the provincial board of revenue, Katchi Abadis Authority, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and others would be examined by respective agencies as per law and SC's directions.

Sindh govt to launch KCR after Centre hands over ‘right of way’

A high level seven-member committee is being constituted with legal formalities and all stakeholders, departments and relevant agencies for the revival of KCR as a modern urban transport system on priority basis in accordance with the needs of the local people.

Jalal lauded the efforts of the Sindh government and the steps taken by Karachi commissioner. He assured that Pakistan Railways would extend all its cooperation to them to start the KCR project.

Briefing the federal railway secretary, Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani said that a comprehensive report would be submitted to SC and his team would be able to take measures for the revival of KCR.

The meeting was briefed about the progress of the anti-encroachment operations so far in different areas by the respective district commissioners (DCs). Railway Divisional Superintendent Shah and Pakistan Railways Operation DIG Azhar Rasheed Khan also briefed Jalal about the steps taken so far, besides expressing the hope that the encroachments would not resurface.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2019.