Islamabad: The federal government has announced an ambitious PKR 58.240 billion project to link the Thar Coal mines and Port Qasim (PQ) with the Pakistan Railways network, news sources reported on December 28.
The project, approved by Prime Minister (PM) Shahbaz Sharif, will provide bulk transportation facilities as per the requirements of the economy. The premier has directed the completion of the project by March 2023. The Project Concept-1 (PC-I) of the project has been prepared and is expected to be approved soon. The said railway line project will include :
Construction of a 105-kilometer-long train track, including a 24.58-kilometer loop line, and new single-line railway track infrastructure from Thar coal mines to the new Chhor station.
Construction of an 18-kilometre long new double-line track (9-kilometer on each side), which includes 4.20-kilometer-long loop lines, from Bin Qasim railway station to Port Qasim.
Construction of seven railroad stations along the railway route with 14 platforms, including two major stations established at Thar coal mines and the new Chhor station, and five intermediate stations located between the two.
It is important to note that the project is in line with the sectoral objectives of Pakistan Vision 2025 and is expected to enable the utilization of indigenous coal extracted from the mine to bring down the import bill and reduce the cost of electricity production. It is also expected to bring uplift to the local populace of Tharparkar through the generation of royalty and job creation.
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.
