KARACHI, Aug 30: Despite the availability of the feasibility report, work on the planned revival of the Karachi Circular Railway has not kicked off since its revalidation report is yet to be received from the UK consultant M/s Scott Wilson.
Similarly, the Karachi Mass Transit Cell has initiated the updating of the Karachi Mass Transit Study 1999 under the Asian Development Bank funding programme for the next 40 years, Dawn has learnt. The KCR project’s feasibility was prepared by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), which also arranged a soft loan of $850 million for it. To be implemented on a build, operate, transfer (BOT) basis, the project was given for revalidation under the instructions of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz since the federal government is to act as the guarantor.
The Malaysian firm with which the city district government Karachi (CDGK) had earlier signed an MoU for the implementation of a light rail (tube) on an elevated track has been asked to furnish a guarantee by November 2007, along with proof of its experience in such projects.
However, reliable sources say that fresh bids for the project are likely to be invited before the implementation agreement.
According to Sindh chief secretary Ejaz Qureshi, who presided over the last meeting that reviewed the Karachi Mass Transit Programme (KMTP) and the KCR revival, the projects require land for the installation of tracks, depots, workshops, stations, administrative facilities, an operation control centre, stabling and other requirements. Therefore, the federal government wanted the project cost weighted by foreign consultants and a monetary guarantee from the contracting firm that would ensure the timely completion of the project. The foreign consultants will offer advice on how best to implement the project without unnecessarily inconveniencing commuters, and asses the minimum amount of land required.
Mr Qureshi told Dawn that land belonging to the provincial government, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Pakistan Railways and the CDGK is required by the Malaysian firm for the project where the firm wanted to set up ancillary facilities for its smooth operation and for commercial use to offset the cost.
According to the firm, the requirement of the land at Tower was assessed to be 26 acres, and 36.2 acres at Sohrab Goth. The cost of these pieces of land would be in billions of rupees and could not be transferred to the firm without ascertaining its minimum requirement after double-check with consultants for the sake of transparency.
Significantly, however, according to a speech delivered on August 28 by the federal minister for Ports and Shipping, Babar Khan Ghauri, the KPT has reservations about the KMTP developer’s intention to use the 27 acres for commercial purposes.
M/s Scott Wilson’s report is likely to be made available within two months, thus paving the way for the initiation of the KCR project and the KMTP.
Lyari Expressway
The Sindh chief secretary, Ejaz Qureshi, stressed the need for speedy completion of the southern side of Lyari Expressway to overcome ongoing traffic congestion and facilitate people, especially during Ramazan, adds APP.
He was presiding over a meeting held to review the progress of Lyari Expressway here on Thursday.
Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project Project Director Shafiqur Rehman Paracha and his counterpart in the National Highway Authority briefed the participants of the meeting about the progress made so far.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Development Ghulam Sarwar Khehro, Secretary Local Government Fazalur Rehman, Karachi DCO Javed Hanif, EDO Revenue Saleh Farooqi and Project Coordinator NHA Arif Khan.