KARACHI, March 18: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Ali Mohammed Mahar on Tuesday attended a briefing on revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and provision of better transport facilities to the public.

The chief of the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation, Kin Rui Juan, and the corporation’s Project Development Manager Kung Yam briefed the meeting. It was stated that the project would be completed in two phases.

The first phase will include the revival of the KCR, provision of basic necessities and removal of encroachments, while the second stage will incorporate the laying of a double- track and the running of the railway on modern lines.

Under the plan, the KCR will be electrified and trains will be operated after every two minutes.

Earlier, the project cost had been estimated at Rs20 billion but after slashing the unnecessary expenses, it has been cut down to Rs15 billion, it was stated.

The system will facilitate the movement of 57,000 commuters daily, and the trains will run at a speed of 80km an hour. Besides flyovers and bridges, the system will have 26 crossings and the project will be completed in eight months.

The governor said that the revival of the railway was essential to cope with the growing population and transport needs of the city.

He observed that there was a dire need for a better transport system and the project would be carried out on a BOT basis for which the cooperation of China would be sought.

Dr Ibad said that the cost of the project should be further reduced and the proposals be finalized in a couple of days.

The chief minister said that some 175 projects were being implemented in Pakistan with China’s cooperation. He referred to the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali to China and said he himself would be a member of the entourage.

Ms Juan said that the company, undertaking the contract on a BOT (build, operate and transfer) basis, would pay 85 per cent of the estimated cost.

A high-powered committee was also formed to prepare a report of the project details in cooperation with the Chinese delegation.

The committee will submit its report to the chief minister so that it could be taken up with the Chinese authorities during the prime minister’s visit and get it through on a BOT basis.—APP