ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Friday approved elimination of 22 level crossings for the loop section of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) to facilitate free movement of trains.

At a meeting chaired by Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin, Ecnec considered and approved a summary presented by the Planning Commission about construction of infrastructure for elimination of level crossings for KCR’s loop section.

Rationalised cost of project estimated at Rs20.715bn

The project, sponsored and executed by the Ministry of Railways, envisages construction of flyovers and underpasses along the KCR route to eliminate 22 level crossings. The rationalised cost of the project has been estimated at Rs20,715.368 million on a cost sharing basis. The project will facilitate free movement of KCR trains.

CDWP empowered

Ecnec also approved a recommendation put forth by the Planning Commission that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) will be authorised to consider projects where Ecnec gives decision to approve the project with the direction of rationalisation of cost.

If the rationalisation exercise results in downward revision in cost, such projects will be accorded approval by the CDWP and status report would be submitted for perusal of Ecnec chairman. In case of upward cost rationalisation or revision, the project will be re-submitted before Ecnec for consideration and approval.

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, Planning Commission deputy chairman, secretaries, representatives of provincial governments and other senior officers attended the meeting, whereas Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar joined it through video link.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2021