Karachi: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is looking to retrieve Karachi Circular Railway’s (KCR) land in a renewed bid to revive the service, a news source reported. A plan has been finalised to repossess 360 acres of KCR land from encroachers.
A massive operation is expected on the matter that will be carried out in phases. Around 5,653 illegally constructed structures will be razed during the operation. 29 acres of KCR land is occupied near Wazir Mansion, two acres from Wazir Mansion to Orangi Nullah, 1.5 acres from there to Nazimabad, 2.5 acres from Nazimabad to Liaquatabad, and 3.25 acres from there to Gilani Railway Station. Two acres of the KCR land is illegally occupied from Gilani Railway Station up till the Federal Urdu University, 4.25 acres till the University of Karachi, and one acre to Depot Hill near the Drigh Road station.
The repossession is a part of plans to revive KCR. The previous government had approved PKR 27.9 billion for the purpose as well. The Supreme Court has also ordered both the provincial and local governments to reclaim the land and remove encroachments.
The Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Ali Shallwani also visited all the KCR stations and directed the Pakistan Railways to clear the tracks. He also instructed relevant officials to carry out the maintenance of railway lines and instructed that where needed, lines should be replaced.
