In its budget for the fiscal year 2013-14, KMC has allocated Rs200 million as its share for the revival of KCR. PHOTO: FILE
In a bid to improve the transport facilities and infrastructure of the metropolis, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has announced to allocate funds for developmental projects to cater to the needs of commuters.
The Mass Transit Project, which incorporates two rail-based and six bus-based routes, has been allocated a sum of Rs320million by the KMC. The rail-based routes include rail underground and overground services from New Sabzi Mandi to Rashid Minhas Road via MA Jinnah Road, Nagan Chowrangi and Korangi.
Under the proposal, the rail services will be integrated with road-based routes in the form of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) through which commuters living as far as Surjani Town, National Highway, Landhi, Korangi, Steel Mill and Malir will be able to access the service.
The Karachi Circular railway, which used to facilitate millions of residents by providing them with a cheap and sustainable mode of transport, has been lying decrepit for some time now. Despite various promises and efforts to revive the facility by successive governments, the project could not be rehabilitated for want of funds and various other reasons. A few days ago, the provincial chief minister approved the plans to revive the project at a cost of Rs247billion of which the government would invest 6.5 per cent and the remaining would be provided by the Japan International Corporation Agency as a long-term loan.
In its budget for the fiscal year 2013-14, KMC has allocated Rs200 million as its share for the revival of KCR. Last year, Rs850million were allocated for the project. The plans, however, did not see fruition as no steps were taken to implement the proposals.
The Mass Transit Project, which incorporates two rail-based and six bus-based routes, has been allocated a sum of Rs320million by the KMC. The rail-based routes include rail underground and overground services from New Sabzi Mandi to Rashid Minhas Road via MA Jinnah Road, Nagan Chowrangi and Korangi.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2013.
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So, where is the Rs 850 MILLION?