Islamabad: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the revised plan (PC-I) for the ML-1 railway project, valued at $6.7 billion, as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as reported by a news source on May 24.
According to the details, the project has been forwarded to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. Additionally, the Havelian Dry Port project has been included in ML-1.
The CDWP has also sanctioned seven smaller projects worth Rs. 82.2 billion and referred three projects worth Rs. 9.2 billion to ECNEC for approval, including the Muzaffarabad-Mansehra Expressway and Mirpur-Mangla Road projects.
The National Railway Administration (NRA) of China has pledged support for ML-1, emphasizing joint efforts for its speedy completion. ML-1 aims to upgrade and double the 1,733-kilometer railway track from Karachi to Peshawar, including modern signaling and telecommunication systems, grade separation, and fencing, to reduce travel times between major cities.
