Karachi: China and Pakistan have decided to formally start work on the USD 6.86 billion upgrading of Mainline-1 (ML-1) and Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) by March 2023, news sources reported on January 2023.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting held in Beijing. The project is the largest to be completed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and will be completed in December 2024. The ML-1 will connect various cities and will play a central role in the transportation of materials from Gwadar. KCR, on the other hand, will offer a mode of daily transportation to the residents of Karachi. As per the plan, Pakistan Railways (PR) will operate the Karachi-Peshawar line, ML-1, and KCR. The project will also transform level crossings into flyovers or underpasses to boost speed and enhance the public transport facilities in the region.
It is important to note that the KCR consists of two main lines; the Main Line-1 (ML-1) and the Main Line-2 (ML-2). ML-1 runs from Karachi City Station to Landhi Junction, while ML-2 runs from Karachi City Station to Port Qasim. The KCR has several other feeder lines that connect to the main lines, providing access to other areas of the city. It also connects to Karachi’s suburban railway network, providing access to other cities in the country.
Nauman Ahmad is an imaginative Pisces whose love for literature and nature is unparalleled. When he's not reading or hiking, he's sleeping and eating, which gives him plenty of energy for his next adventure.
