Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Revival of KCR: Proposal Sent to CDWP

KARACHI (May 27 2009): PC-1 for the $1.57 billion Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) has finally been submitted to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for approval.
According to sources in Karachi Urban Transport System (KUTS) the new PC-1 is based on the fresh study conducted by a survey team of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for the revival of KCR.The current study, conducted by a team from the ministry of economy, trade and industry, government of Japan, adds some new developments like the alleviation of stops, tunnel, cuttings and covering of tracks etc, thus increasing the cost of the project.
To mitigate traffic problems in the country's most congested cities Japan had commissioned 100 percent funding for the project under a loan at 0.2 percent mark-up rate for a 40-year payback time, including a 10-year grace period.Ejaz Khilji, the Managing Director of KCR, told Business Recorder that at least 11 stations of the project have been alleviated for checking and security purposes which also would create enough space for public movement at the stations.The team, he said, has also proposed in the study to make a tunnel near Alladin Park in Gulistan-e-Johar and cover the track of at least 3.5 km between Johar Mor and Alladin Park to protect the track as it was to be built beneath the topsoil.
Some members of the team were still in Karachi for further study and more officials were also likely to visit the city soon, he added.The study on the project was going on since it first commenced in October 2005 and the report was furnished in March 2006 for the revival of KCR. During this time different survey teams of Japan had come to Pakistan and made PC-1, but as the cost of the project had increased in the two years the foreign teams had made the new study with modified cost.The previous PC-I of the project had also been cleared in principle, at the CDWP meeting, held on September 16, 2008.
The government of Japan had earlier promised to release $872.316 million loan to be used for the KCR project and it had commissioned a study under the aegis of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).According to sources, Japan, as a first parameter, would dualize KCR's 30-km loop with modern signalling and telecommunication system. Further, the sources said, at least two tracks along with the main line from City (Railway) Station to Drigh Road Station 14.5 km, would later be linked to the airport with a distance of 6-km, at a cost of $179.464 million.
They said Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) would be the vehicle for the implementation of the project having on its board of Directors senior officials of Pakistan Railway, Government of Sindh and City District Government Karachi (CDGK).
It will be recalled that the Sindh government had stopped the local train service in January 2000 and had gain decided to revive the system after realising its importance in 2004.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Chinese Team to Provide 30 CNG Buses in First Phase

ISLAMABAD (May 20 2009): The Chinese delegation headed by Jamshaid Ullah, General Manager, Rimedyne Refrigeration System Co Ltd, committed to export 30 CNG buses in the first phase for Islamabad, while CDA informed that they need 500 CNG buses for Islamabad which is environment friendly.
A nine-member delegation from People's Republic of China visited the Ministry of Investment (Board of Investment) and called on Saleem H Mandviwalla, Minister of State/Chairman, Board of Investment and Tariq Puri, Secretary, Ministry of Investment (BOI) on Tuesday.
Chairman, BOI underlined the policy which allows 100 percent foreign equity in the major sectors and full repatriation of profits and dividends in all the sectors. It was further explained that the average rate of return is almost 30 percent and in some cases up to 50 percent.The delegation was informed that Special Economic Zone (SEZs) are being set up with attractive incentive package.
The enactment of the Zone policy is being approved by the Government. Jamshaid Ullah expressed his keen interest in direct sale of their CNG buses or looking for a joint venture partner in Pakistan.He sought a piece of land in Islamabad for parking of buses, which was agreed by the representative of CDA on lease basis after submission of the feasibility study to CDA for consideration.Representative of CDA also made presentation showing them different chunk of land available with them for different purposes.
The representatives of DART, a management consultant company highlighted the Auto Industry Policy with incentives available to manufacturers of Auto Industry covered under different SRO's

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Hino Prime Movers, High Power Dutro Models Inaugurated

Having such a big company of bus manufacturing, our commuers are still suffering on the roads, ironic .........................................................................................
KARACHI (May 12 2009): The Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani inaugurated the new Hino Prime Mover and High Power Dutro truck models in a ceremony held at Hotel Carlton on May 9. He was also shown the prototype of Hino Export bus for Middle East and Africa.Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister expressed that the export of buses from Pakistan would usher in a new era for the development of the automotive industry.
He said that it was great pleasure to know that Pakistani Automobile industry gearing up to meet customers' demands despite the tough economic conditions world-wide and Hinopak Motors Limited was a shining example.Federal Minister of Industries and Production, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Watto appreciated the role being played by Hinopak Motors Limited and assured government's fullest support to the automobile industry.
Chairman, Hinopak, Kunwar Idris, welcomed the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.He said that by entering into Export market, Hinopak is now embarking on a new journey, which would result in further development of local auto industry and manpower. Speaking on the occasion, Hideya Iijima, Managing Director and CEO, Hinopak, said that Hinopak constantly stays in-touch with our valued customers to gauge their needs and finds ways to fulfil market demands.
He further mentioned that he was pleased to inform that with the collaboration of our Principal Hino Motors, Ltd, Japan we would once again start exporting buses to Middle East and African countries. Y. Noguchi, Executive Officer, Hino Motors Limited, Japan said that our decision to use Hinopak as the production base for export of buses to Middle East and African countries is the result of the confidence of Hino Motors has in the capabilities and expertise of Hinopak and the Pakistani manpower.
Irfan Shaikh, Director Sales and Marketing, Hinopak made a presentation highlighting the corporate features of Hinopak and its truck models FG1J Prime Mover, FM1J Prime Mover and Dutro Super which have been designed keeping the market and NHA loading requirements. His presentation also touched upon the challenges being faced by the commercial auto industry.
The programme ended with the display of the prototype Export bus and the inauguration of prime movers and High Power Dutro.The ceremony was also attended by Acting Governor Sindh, Nisar Khoro, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor A Watoo and large number of high officials from government and private sectors, financial institutions, commercial customers.
All the participants appreciated the efforts of Hinopak in introducing vehicles according to customer needs

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Chaman - Spin Boldak Rail Link Plan Coming Up With Revised PC1

ISLAMABAD (May 09 2009): Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to establish rail link by launching Chaman-Spin Boldak project with a revised PC1 having estimated cost of Rs 943 million. The project will be financed utilising the Afghanistan Reconstruction and Rehabilitation fund Pakistan has already established.
A three-member Afghan delegation headed by Wali Muhammad Rasool, Deputy Minister for Public Works held a meeting with Federal Minister for Railways, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour to discuss the modalities of the project, Spokesperson and Director Operations of Pakistan Railways Shafiqullah told Business Recorder here on Friday.
This was a long-standing proposal to extend the Pakistan Railways network by about 10 miles from the current terminus at Chaman to Spinbuldak ending at Kandahar.
According to the earlier PC1 of Rs 417 million the project would have been started in June 2004 by M/s Railcop, however, it could not be initiated due to non-issuance of NOC by Afghan government. The revised cost of the project is estimated at Rs 943 million. He said that during the meeting it was decided to give top priority to the construction of rail link between the two countries.
The Afghan delegation conveyed that the government of Afghanistan gives top priority to the rail link between the two countries, he added."The route for rail track, the size of gauge and other technicalities would be discussed in the next meeting to be held in Kandahar. The government of Pakistan has also promised to provide funds for the construction of rail track out of the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation fund allocated by the government of Pakistan for Afghanistan," he added.
He said that the Afghan delegation desired that Pakistan construction companies should also be involved in this mega project. Federal Minister for Railways while talking to the Afghan delegation emphasised to work closely on this project so that both countries could benefit from each other in order to boost economy and establish close relations with Central Asian States and Europe in future.
The Federal Minister said Pakistan and Afghanistan depend on each other in many aspects and they must work closely for promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity.Discussing Chaman-Spin Boldak Railway link, both sides agreed to form a technical committee of experts which would discuss the route for rail track, the size of gauge and other technicalities in the light of the memorandum signed in May 2007 between the two countries.
The committee will soon submit its report

Decision to Run 8,000 CNG Buses in Mega Cities Hailed

Indeed a good news, but when it will be implemented, when we will be able to see these buses plying on the roads................ or such will remain like news to keep people happy reading.................................................................................
ISLAMABAD (May 09 2009): Commuters of Islamabad and Rawalpindi welcomed the decision of government to run 8,000 CNG buses for public transport in mega cities of the country.
A resident Abdus Samiah said that it is a good decision which will help overcome problem of the commuters who only depend on the public transport.He said that with the arrival of the CNG buses the pollution will decrease. Another resident Irfan Khan said that the existing transport system is needed to be replaced with CNG buses and the government's announcement to introduce CNG buses is a promising decision and it will help provide reliable, efficient and environment friendly transport system in the country.
He expressed the hope that the concerned authorities would implement the decision for the benefit of the commuters.Tasir Khan, a student, said, "The commuters, quite innocently, have been waiting for CNG or air-conditioned buses, as planned by the concerned authorities, but one should really appreciate their wishful thinking.
"We have been reading in the newspapers for last many years that a CNG bus service would be launched in the twin cities, but nothing is still on the ground," said Riaz Khan, a resident of Bahara Kahu

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