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
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