THIS refers to the news item ‘KCR resettlement plan finalised’ (Aug 7). In an attempt to draw the attention of authorities to the Karachi Circular Railway, many editorials and features have been written.

Unfortunately, as usual, the authorities concerned seem to have ignored this crucial issue.

The widest gauge (1.70 metres) was laid by the British in countries where once they ruled, whereas in the rest of the world it is either one metre wide or a narrow gauge (0.75 metre) track that is being used for systems of inter-city as well as for intra-city transport.

Will it not be economical to lay two narrow gauge tracks, instead of one wide track, in order to run up and down service, without widening the passageway, already available?

Moreover, commuters will also find smaller passenger coaches more convenient for intra-city travelling than the huge ones that we have. Smaller carriages and engines would also be easier to operate and maintain, besides adding some colour to an otherwise dull and depressing facility. Remnants of such moving stock lately used in northern and southern regions of Pakistan might still be lying in some museum or archives of our railway.

I think this proposal does call for some examination before sinking a heavy investment on a dubious project that has defied many an earlier attempt. It might meet the same fate. Another issue that needs to be looked into is operation of the existing intra-city transport, monopoly of which rests exclusively with the private sector. In metropolitan cities all over the world, metro service is operated on a no-profit-no-loss basis by the local government of the city, with the sole objective of providing comfortable and economical means of transportation for citizens even if it has to be subsidised.

Profitability of the facility takes secondary priority.

I am confident the above proposal does receive consideration by stakeholders involved in this mega project aimed at providing suitable means of daily transportation to citizens of the grid-locked roads of this metropolis.

DR M. SAYEDAIN JAFFERY Karachi