CM directs to resolve KCR project issues

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has instructed the Board of Revenue (BOR) to address all land-related issues of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) Project.

The instructions were made during a meeting chaired by the chief minister at the CM House on Thursday.

Present on the occasion, Minister Transport Sharjeel Memon briefed the chief minister, highlighting that the project had been put on hold during the previous government.

Nevertheless, he emphasised that the project was crucial for resolving the city's transportation problems.

The P&D Chairman informed the CM that with his efforts, the federal government had forwarded the feasibility report of the KCR to Chinese authorities through the Ministry of Planning and Commission of Pakistan.

Sharjeel Memon stated that the inclusion of the KCR in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the transfer of the KCR Right of Way (RoW) to the Sindh government had led to the formation of a four-member committee of railway officers. "The committee, headed by the chairman/secretary of Railways, was tasked with finalising the modalities for the transfer of Pakistan Railway/KCR land to the provincial government," he stated.

The committee's terms of reference (TORs) include negotiating the equal value of alternate and proposed land, as well as determining the future use of the land.

Memon mentioned that approximately 40 acres of land were under dispute, with the railway authorities seeking an alternative.

In response, the chief minister directed SMBR Baqaullah Unar to gather details regarding the land desired by the Railway Authorities and submit a report.

The minister informed the CM that the approved plan for the KCR included a 43.2km route, comprising 25.51km of elevated tracks and 17.7km at ground level.

He further stated that the project would encompass 24 stations, with 13 elevated and 11 at ground level. Additionally, the KCR would operate with 162 train sets on a dual track system.

The chief minister instructed the Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput to finalise all documentation related to the KCR project and engage with the minister of the planning commission to approach Chinese authorities for the establishment of a joint working group, thereby facilitating the project's launch.

Sindh government's spokesperson and advisor for law Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Secretary Transport Saleem Rajput, and others were present on the occasion.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2023.