April 10, 2002	Wednesday	Muharram 26, 1423

KARACHI, April 9: President Pervez Musharraf is likely to give final approval to the feasibility report on the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway as a pre-referendum gift to the Karachiites, Dawn learnt here on Tuesday.

During his visit to the commercial capital of the country later this month, the President is also expected to announce sanction of the first tranche to launch the project, which is estimated to cost Rs12 billion.

The sources in the transport department said investors from Saudi Arabia — the Dallah Group — were now on a visit to Karachi, and they had shown interest in making investment in transport-related projects, including the KCR, Urban Bus Service, Mass Transit projects, etc. A presentation on the revival of the KCR would also be given to them to seek their investment for the project.

The Sindh government has already finalized the feasibility project study for the revival of the KCR. According to it, the project would be completed in three and a half years from the day of approval and availability of funds.

A presentation on the project would be given to President Musharraf during his visit to Karachi, and after his approval and sanction of funds, the project would be launched, the sources in transport and communication department told Dawn.

Approval for the finalization of the feasibility project had been given at a meeting presided over by the Sindh Minister of Transport, Dewan Mohammed Yusuf Farooqui, a couple of days back. The feasibility had been prepared by Engineering Consultants International Limited.

At stage-1, the following works would be carried out. Track improvement of 30 km, new track from Malir Halt to Karachi Cantt of 18 km, improvement of the existing track from Malir Halt to Malir Cantt of six km, laying of a second track of 30 km, improvement and extension of signalling and telecommunication, two new stations with rail/road junctions, security fencing (30,000 meters), new road-railway junction stations and improvement of the existing stations, under/over passes at 12 level crossing, widening of five bridges and addition of small bridges, and integration with bus routes and route rationalization. These have been estimated to cost Rs3.2bn.

The rolling stocks has been estimated to cost Rs7.4bn, which would include 42 train sets (engine plus four bogies), workshop and yards, and buses for shuttle service.

Besides, the administration engineering service of implementation and design and contingencies has been estimated to cost Rs1.6bn.

The proposed train fare would be Rs5 for up to 10km, Rs10 up to 20km, and Rs15 up to 30km. After the completion of stage-1, the estimated revenue to be generated from train fair has been estimated at Rs4.77 million a day and Rs1.74 billion a year.

It has been recommended that stage-I of the KCR revitalization be undertaken and financed without delay. The KCR links be extended to serve the needs of the growing city. Road