RAWALPINDI: The federal and provincial governments signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on Thursday to begin the feasibility study of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Circular Railway and Leh Nullah Expressway projects.

The MoU was signed by Capital Development Authority (CDA) Member Planning Dr Shahid Mehmood on behalf of the federal government, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Chief Engineer Amir Rasheed on behalf of the Punjab government and Jia Huiqin on behalf of the CCECC.

The signing was attended by Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood, PTI MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafique and CCECC representatives.

The company will conduct a study on the operation of a train service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad along the Leh Nullah, from the Soan River near the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench to Kashmir Highway in Islamabad.

There was a similar plan during the regime of Gen Pervez Musharraf to run a train service between the twin cities, which was halted by the PML-N government.

As part of the metro bus service, the PML-N Punjab government built an elevated track with future requirements to run a train over it. However, the PTI government wants to run a separate track for a circular rail service along the Nullah Leh Expressway.

The CCECC is a state-owned Chinese company that is willing to work with the CDA and RDA on the feasibility study and technical and financial proposal and enter into a contract with both authorities to execute, operate and maintain such a project.

The company will undertake the preliminary study on the project’s feasibility, which will include assessing technical, legal, financial and commercial viability and cost estimates, taking into consideration the requirements of related government bodies.

It will also explore options for resources and funding to execute the project if it is technically and financially viable.

A senior official from the Pakistan Railways told Dawn the CCECC would conduct the study using its own resources and the RDA and CDA will provide details about the Leh Expressway project.

After the study is complete, he said, the parties will hold a consultation on its findings and make a PC-I on the basis of a public-private partnership. The study will be completed in three months, and the company will also identify areas along the route for commercial ventures.

The official said it was expected that foreign investors would be brought to begin work on the project so residents of the twin cities have a better alternate transport service and traffic is reduced on city roads.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2020