Railways wants China to expedite ML-1 project

Pakistan Railways has urged Chinese authorities to accelerate work on the multi-billion-dollar Mainline-1 (ML-1) project, a crucial part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistan Railway CEO Amir Baloch made the request during a meeting with a high-level delegation from China’s National Railway Administration. The 21-member delegation, led by Zhu Mengrui, expressed full support and commitment to ensuring the timely commencement of the transformative ML-1 project.

Baloch emphasised the unparalleled cooperation between Pakistan and China in the energy and transport sectors. He described ML-1 as a game-changer set to revolutionise Pakistan’s transport landscape and significantly enhance revenue in the freight sector.

Mengrui, leading the ML-1 project team, assured collaborative efforts to address various aspects, including financing schemes and design proposals. This marks a significant stride towards strengthening economic ties and reducing transportation costs by establishing economic zones linked to ML-1.

Wang Chen, representing the Science and Technology Department of the Chinese Railways, was also a prominent member of the 21-member delegation.

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Recently, the Ministry of Railways forwarded the revised PC-1 of the ML-1 project to the Ministry of Planning. Subsequently, the PC-1 will undergo presentations before the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.

The estimated overall project cost stands at $6.67 billion, to be executed in two phases. The revised PC-1 outlines the construction of an initial phase covering a 930-kilometre track to be completed within five years, costing $3159.7 million.

Package One consists of a 397-kilometre track, encompassing Nowshera, Rohri, Khanpur, and PR Walton, while Package Two extends for 533 kilometres
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Package Two includes tracks from Karachi to Nawabshah (296 kilometers) and from Khanpur to Multan (237 kilometers), with a total expenditure of $3,159 million.

The second phase of ML-1 incurs a cost of $3,518.8 million, covering a track length of 796 kilometers. Package Three links Multan to Lahore (334 kilometers) with an expenditure of $799 million.

Package Four includes tracks from Lahore to Rawalpindi (288 kilometers) and Rawalpindi to Peshawar (174 kilometers), along with the Havelian Dry Port. The total cost is $2,719 million, with an expected completion within four years.

PC-1, or Planning Commission Form 1, serves as a comprehensive project document detailing project needs, description, justification, location, duration, cost estimates, and anticipated benefits.