Islamabad:
The Karachi -Rohri section will be the most vital segment of the main line project (ML) -1 in terms of cargo connectivity with Central Asia and Russia, in addition to providing a transport link to the Thar Coal and Reko DIQ mines, said Fasi Abbasi Railway Minister on Friday.
Speaking with journalists outside the house of Parliament, the minister said that an important load route had been prepared from Lahore to Russia through Rohri, Zahedan and then in Tayikistan, but his launch was delayed due to 12 days between Iran and Israel.
Abbasi prominent described the ML-1 segment between Karachi and Rohri the most challenging portion. “If necessary, I will personally request the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Sindh to assign funds to guarantee their completion,” he said.
“This section is vital for the success of future projects such as the transport of Thar coal, the Reko DIQ project, the lrenar connectivity with Central Asia and Russia, and the realization of the greater dream of Asian rail link,” he said, and added that the ML-2 and ML-3 lines were equally important for the economic elevation of Pakistan.
The minister revealed that an important international load initiative, a railway route from Lahore to Zahedan through Rohri, which extended to Tayikistan and Russia, had prepared. “If it had not been for the war, this international load train would have been implemented on June 22,” he said.
He said that $ 5 million had been assigned in the budget to improve regional rail connectivity with Uzbekistan. “The development of the country is directly related to the modernization of the rail system,” said Abbasi, reaffirming his resolution to meet the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz.
To a question, he said he would visit Karachi on July 6 and meet with Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah to discuss the demands of the province of Ramas. “Our goal is to build the same type of coordination with Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa [K-P] As we have done with Punjab and Baluchistan, “he said.
On the occasion, the minister shared updates on rail development projects in Baluchistan, stating that the stations in Sibi and Machh were being updated, and many of these projects had already been implemented or were in progress.
Abbasi highlighted the main improvements in the facilities provided to passengers. “People who buy tickets worth RS12,000 to RS14,000 deserve better travel conditions,” he said. “With the cooperation of the Punjab government, a free Wi-Fi installation is provided to 40 stations,” he said.
“We are going to install automatic digital sales systems and ATMs in 348 stations throughout the country.” These digital initiatives will not only increase income but will also improve passenger facilitation, “added the minister.
“Previously, passengers would wait on the queues for hours. They were asked to bring effective. Now, with digital payment machines and ATMs, we are eliminating these obstacles,” said the minister. “The railroads are moving towards digitalization.”
He said that a comprehensive plan for the recovery and optimal use of the vast land assets of the railroads was being prepared, which would be presented to the prime minister. He pointed out that many invasions had already been eliminated.
Speaking about the other segments of the railway, the minister said that Punjab Prime Minister had assigned more than 350 billion rupees to improve the Lahore-Rawalpindi section and other different branches. The Baluchistan government has also assigned RS3 billion for the Saryab and Kuchlak area.
He also highlighted infrastructure improvements, including the construction of three standard international railway stations and the modernization of Quetta station. “The Quetta station has been updated, and a multiple diesel train (DMU) will soon begin operations within the city,” he said.
