PM to perform groundbreaking of KCR during Karachi visit today

Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Karachi on Monday to perform groundbreaking of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project, officials said.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, while speaking to the media in Karachi on Sunday, said the ceremony will be held at Cantt Railway Station.

He said that the Rs250 billion mega project will be completed in three years, adding that 16 stations would be built along the 43kilometre-long track.

The governor said that Green Line Bus Service will also be operationalised next month and the K-4 water supply project will be completed by the end of 2023.

Read more: PM terms inclusion of KCCDZ in CPEC 'game changer'

The premier during his day-long visit to the port city will also meet several party leaders and lawmakers.

He will be briefed over the ongoing development projects in Sindh, and would also meet with the religious scholars representing different schools of thought.

Earlier in the day, while lauding efforts of the ministry of Maritime Affairs, PM Imran termed inclusion of Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a ‘game changer’.

He expressed the hope that it would help in cleaning up marine habitat for fishermen, develop low income housing units and creating investment opportunities.

“Inclusion of Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone in CPEC is game changer. Will cleanup our marine habitat for fishermen, develop 20k low income housing units & present opportunities for investors. Will put Khi (Karachi) at par with developed port cities,” he posted on his official Twitter handle.

Last month, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, while chairing a meeting to review the latest status of KCR and railways freight corridor projects, said that simultaneous work on PPP components of the KCR would result in months of time saving and completion of the project. So, the railways should expedite consultation with P3A.

Also read: PM orders early completion of Karachi uplift projects

The railways secretary emphasised that the KCR project was on track as per the timelines given by the ministry.

Meeting participants also held discussion on the freight corridor project from Keamari/KPT to Pipri Marshalling Yard, which involved the construction/ dualisation/ upgrading of a 50km dedicated freight corridor from Karachi Port to Pipri and the development of an inland container depot/ Marshalling Yard at Pipri.

The meeting was briefed that the project was expected to facilitate 40% of the cargo meant to be transported upcountry. Furthermore, the plan has been submitted to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority for approval.

Umar gave directives that the corridor must be designed for optimising the outcome, and in addition to the financial cost, the destination time should be reduced as well.

The planning minister also directed all the concerned officials to ensure the completion of projects within timelines, as such projects were crucial for the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Karachi.