Islamabad: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday shared the plans for a proposed three-phase revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project during a visit to inspect the rehabilitation of carriages for the venture — a news source reported.
Reportedly, the first phase of development will involve the restoration of train tracks between Karachi City and Orangi station, from Orangi station to Gilani station, and from Gilani station to Drug Colony. Funds worth PKR 150 million have been allocated for the repair of nine stations and platforms, and 15 level crossings. Additionally, tenders worth PKR 50 million were also issued in July for the upgradation of electrical signals and telecommunications.
The minister added that 10 locomotives and 40 coaches had also been handed over to the carriage factory for repairs and renovations.
Minister Rashid further disclosed that in the second phase, the KCR project would be upgraded at a cost of PKR 8.7 billion — with these funds to be used to increase the number of trains from 32 to 48, and improving the passenger capacity from 16,000 to 24,000.
