Karachi: A new 105-kilometre-long railway track has been planned between Chorr and Islamkot for the purpose of shipping coal from Thar to Port Qasim, according to a news source. As per the publication, these project announcements come in addition to the previously proposed 1,320 MW power plant in Thar Coal Block-VI — with all ventures falling under the purview of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.
A
decision was made in this regard during a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister
(CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah and Chairman CPEC Authority General (R) Asim Saleem
Bajwa.
During
the session, CM Murad revealed that three CPEC-related projects had already
been approved in the province, including the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), the
China Special Economic Zone Dhabeji, and Keti Bandar. He added that the projects
would be launched once their financial models had been finalised.
On the other hand, Chairman Bajwa stated that the formalities and the documentation for the CPEC projects should be finalised before the Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan (expected between May and June this year). He informed the CM that he would progress with the development of projects that had already been approved in order to to initiate work on them at the earliest opportunity.
The
chairman further said that the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had become one of the
most loaded ports in the city, and that a plan was being formulated to
construct an expressway from the sea to Malir Expressway to improve the
situation. In response, CM Murad said that from a strategic point of view, Keti
Bandar was also an important port and would reduce the burden on KPT.
Lastly,
CM Murad took the chance to reveal that 1,530 acres of land had been allotted
for the China Special Economic Zone at Dhabeji.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
