KARACHI: Pakistan Railways on Thursday floated a tender worth Rs102 million for multiple works on the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project.

This is in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan pertaining to the revival of KCR. The major works cited in the floated tender entail: removal of debris and solid waste from the railway track between Wazir Mansion and Orangi, rehabilitation of station buildings from Karachi City Station to Orangi, rehabilitation of bridges, foot-over bridges and platform shelters, supplying, stacking and loading of material and the rehabilitation of level crossings.

The KCR project director Ameer Mohammad Daudpota said that the restoration and revival of the historic mass transit system for commuters is among the top priorities of Pakistan Railways. “All the assigned tasks will be concluded with the cooperation of the Sindh Government within the stipulated time,” he assured.

Freight activities at Pipri inspected

The Pakistan Railways’ Divisional Superintendent (DS), Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, paid a visit on Wednesday to the marshalling yard at Pipri, also known as the hub of freight activities.

The DS was briefed about the operational preparedness and requirements of the marshalling yard.

“Freight service is the economic lifeline of Pakistan Railways and its further expansion is the need of the hour, which can be done by properly planning the affairs,” the DS said.

He added that the continual freight train operation during the eight-week long unprecedented suspension period of passenger train operation manifested the indispensable role played by freight service. He also praised the role of workers in the marshalling yard for their relentless services in running the wheels of freight trains.

The DS took stock of maintenance of the signalling system and advised to prepare proposals of all essential projects at the marshalling yard for onwards submission to railways headquarters along with recommendation for their inclusion in the federal government’s Public Sector Development Programme. The DS also visited the locomotive shed, running room and all the related installations at the marshalling yard.

He directed the officials concerned to resolve all issues of the staff and workers at the marshalling yard in order to ensure smooth functioning of freight activities.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2020