KARACHI: The work on the revival of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) would start in 2010 and it would start operation for public in three years. According to KCR project director, on completion of the project, an international operator of repute would be appointed for operation and maintenance of KCR on the pattern of the successful role model of Singapore Mass Rail Transit.
The donor Japan International Cooperation Agency had sponsored a final study Special Assistance for Project Formation for the project and the final report was received in April 2009 with modified estimated cost from $872.316 million to $1558.8 million. As per the study, the route length of KCR would be 43.12km: elevated track increased to 22.49km, about 4km tunnel and 16.63km on ground. app
Sunday, December 27, 2009
China Unveils 'World's Fastest Train Link'
BEIJING (AFP) – China on Saturday unveiled what it billed as the fastest rail link in the world -- a train connecting the modern cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan at an average speed of 350 kilometres (217 miles) an hour. 
Work on the project began in 2005 as part of plans to expand a high-speed network aimed at eventually linking Guangzhou, a business hub in southern China near Hong Kong, with the capital Beijing, Xinhua added.
The super-high-speed train reduces the 1,069 kilometre journey to a three hour ride and cuts the previous journey time by more than seven and a half hours, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Work on the project began in 2005 as part of plans to expand a high-speed network aimed at eventually linking Guangzhou, a business hub in southern China near Hong Kong, with the capital Beijing, Xinhua added."The train can go 394.2 kilometres per hour, it's the fastest train in operation in the world," Zhang Shuguang, head of the transport bureau at the railways ministry, told Xinhua.
Test runs for the service began earlier in December and the link officially went into service when the first scheduled train left the eastern metropolis of Wuhan on Saturday.
By comparison, the average for high-speed trains in Japan was 243 kilometres per hour while in France it was 277 kilometres per hour, said Xu Fangliang, general engineer in charge of designing the link, according to Xinhua.
Beijing has an ambitious rail development programme aimed at increasing the national network from the current 86,000 kilometres to 120,000 kilometres, making it the most extensive rail system outside the United States.
China unveiled its first high-speed line at the time of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 -- a service linking the capital with the port city of Tianjin.
In September, officials said they planned to build 42 high-speed lines by 2012 in a massive system overhaul as part of efforts to spur economic growth amid the global downturn.
The network uses technology developed in co-operation with foreign firms such as Siemens, Bombardier and Alstom.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8431486.stm?lsThursday, December 24, 2009
Bad News about Lahore Mass Transit System
At last Mr. Shahbaz Sharif Govenment finally abondon this wonderful project by ignoring the T.A Assistance the T.A Loan offer from ADB whic was $6 million ......... The bank is now going to shift this money to other country's projects ........... very sad .............
Mr Sharif when stuck against something ........... he will abolish it ........... without reconsidering or looking into the importance of any project .......... Very sad ....... keep it up ........ Ya he got a good job of demolition .............. I dont know where in the world the constructed buildings are demolished ........... when they are constructed no matter legal or illegal ...........
Mr Sharif when stuck against something ........... he will abolish it ........... without reconsidering or looking into the importance of any project .......... Very sad ....... keep it up ........ Ya he got a good job of demolition .............. I dont know where in the world the constructed buildings are demolished ........... when they are constructed no matter legal or illegal ...........
Monday, December 21, 2009
First Tourist Train to Run on December 24
ISLAMABAD (December 21 2009): Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour will inaugurate and launch the first tourist train between Rawalpindi and Taxila to promote rail tourism among domestic as well as foreign tourists throughout the country in a phased process.
Under this project, the accessibility of tourists, students and the general public to the renowned historical places would be made easy, focused, recreational-cum-study oriented and comfortable, said an official here. He said in the first phase of the project, first tourist train will be run on December 24 from Rawalpindi station to Taxila and on the same day, it will be back. Minister for Railways and Secretary/Chairman Railways will also travel in the tourist train from Rawalpindi to Golara Sharif Railway Station, the official added. "The scope of this tourist train would be extended phase wise in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism to Attock Khurd, Wahga, Changa Manga, Qasur, Harrapa (Sahiwal) Multan, Drawar fort (Bahawalpur) etc."
The official further said the availability of chartered and steam engine trains are also being made possible to promote the concept of tourist train. These chartered and steam trains would be available in addition to regular train service. "Pakistan Railways is jointly working with the Ministry of Tourism at federal and provincial level to implement this concept in letter and spirit," he informed. He expressed hope that the initiative will also bring a positive socio economic change as a whole, especially for the local population located at the historical places.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Qatar - Bahrain Rail Link
New plans to build a super-fast railway will see many of the Gulf states linked together for the first time.
Governments from all six Arab states have agreed to build the 2000 km (1243 miles) rail network, with work due to start in 2011, with completion expected in 2017.
Recently, the governments of Qatar and Bahrain agreed to build the Bahrain Causeway, which will be the longest in the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8409581.stm
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Energy, Transport, Agriculture Sectors: Pakistan, France to Ink Deals Next Year
KARACHI (December 10 2009): Pakistan and France would sign agreements in energy (hydro), transport, urban environment and agriculture sectors next year. Though the trade volume between the two nations remained below 1 billion dollar this year, this initiative would extend bilateral trade beyond par.
This was said by Daniel Jounneau, Ambassador of France in Pakistan, during an award distribution ceremony the "6th Pakistan France Trade Performance Awards 2007-09" which was organised by Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA) at a local hotel on Tuesday.
He said the final economic joint statement would be completed on January 14, 2010, during the visit of Hina Rabbani Khar, state minister for finance, to France. While 30 French companies, already working in the country, would reinvest, Smart Car Manufacturing Company and S D V another two companies would also start their business in Karachi next year, he added.
The ambassador said the existing 200 gas stations owned by French companies would be further increased by next year. He said that his country was more interested to increase its business activities in Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan.
"Though there are serious security concerns in Pakistan, we encourage the political determination of Pakistan," he said adding that his country would continue supporting Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan, comparatively, had remained safe from the current financial crisis, spread across the world, as France had been badly affected.
Over the past one year, he said, significant French investment has taken place in Pakistan. The company like Total has expanded its utility in Karachi in partnership with Atlas. Hyperstar has inaugurated its first hypermarket in Lahore while three new French affiliated companies -L'Oeal, SDV and Gemalto have directly established themselves in Pakistan this year.
While addressing the ceremony, Jamil Hamdani, president PFBA, said that this particular ceremony is one with a difference as unlike the norm, PFBA was covering a period of two years (2007-2008 and 2008-209). Another speaker, Irfan Nadeem, who was presently posted as Additional Director General FIA, who was also the chief guest at the ceremony, senior bureaucrat, said for the promotion and fair trade relation the implementation of intellectual property right was necessary.
The awards were distributed in following categories: the home textile, fabric export, garment export, textile buying agents, information and technology, chemical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and lab, surgical goods, hospital equipment, shipping and freight forwarders, leather garments, cosmetic/consumer goods, commodities, animal husbandry, livestock, veterinary surgical instruments, oil and gas, engineering, industrial safety equipment, drilling equipment, and defence equipment.
This was said by Daniel Jounneau, Ambassador of France in Pakistan, during an award distribution ceremony the "6th Pakistan France Trade Performance Awards 2007-09" which was organised by Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA) at a local hotel on Tuesday.
He said the final economic joint statement would be completed on January 14, 2010, during the visit of Hina Rabbani Khar, state minister for finance, to France. While 30 French companies, already working in the country, would reinvest, Smart Car Manufacturing Company and S D V another two companies would also start their business in Karachi next year, he added.
The ambassador said the existing 200 gas stations owned by French companies would be further increased by next year. He said that his country was more interested to increase its business activities in Karachi, the financial hub of Pakistan.
"Though there are serious security concerns in Pakistan, we encourage the political determination of Pakistan," he said adding that his country would continue supporting Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan, comparatively, had remained safe from the current financial crisis, spread across the world, as France had been badly affected.
Over the past one year, he said, significant French investment has taken place in Pakistan. The company like Total has expanded its utility in Karachi in partnership with Atlas. Hyperstar has inaugurated its first hypermarket in Lahore while three new French affiliated companies -L'Oeal, SDV and Gemalto have directly established themselves in Pakistan this year.
While addressing the ceremony, Jamil Hamdani, president PFBA, said that this particular ceremony is one with a difference as unlike the norm, PFBA was covering a period of two years (2007-2008 and 2008-209). Another speaker, Irfan Nadeem, who was presently posted as Additional Director General FIA, who was also the chief guest at the ceremony, senior bureaucrat, said for the promotion and fair trade relation the implementation of intellectual property right was necessary.
The awards were distributed in following categories: the home textile, fabric export, garment export, textile buying agents, information and technology, chemical, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and lab, surgical goods, hospital equipment, shipping and freight forwarders, leather garments, cosmetic/consumer goods, commodities, animal husbandry, livestock, veterinary surgical instruments, oil and gas, engineering, industrial safety equipment, drilling equipment, and defence equipment.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
General Electric Looking For Energy and Railways Projects
ISLAMABAD (December 09 2009): M/s General Electric Company (GE) is reportedly using the influence of a senior officer in the Presidency to get a contract in energy sector projects, sale of 150 locomotives to Pakistan Railways and installation of railway tracks, reveal official documents available with Business Recorder .
Shehzad Arbab, an Additional Secretary in the Presidency is the focal person who is pursuing the relevant Ministries and organisation like Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and Railways Board. For this purpose, President Secretariat has forwarded a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the key Energy Ministries and Railways for its review, the sources added.
However, it is still unclear who tailored the draft of the MoU and what will be the net worth of the contracts in which the American company is interested. According to the draft MoU, a copy of which has been obtained from the PPIB, it has been proposed that Pakistan and GE will work intensively and co-operatively to identify energy and transportation projects in which the firm will have technologies and solutions suitable to Pakistan, to secure sources of public and privatise funding to facilitate such funding as much as possible, and to facilitate, as appropriate, the ability of GE to participate in such projects.
M/s GE is interested in energy including renewable energy where GE will assist Pakistan in achieving its goal of generating 54,000 MW power by 2020 through diverse energy sources. It has also been proposed that Pakistan and GE will explore expanding the scope of this MoU to encompass other sectors vital to Pakistan's infrastructure and economic development, such as healthcare, water treatment, air transportation and financial services.
According to the draft MoU GE's commitments are as follows:
(a) GE is willing to cooperate with Pakistan to identify the areas of Energy and Transportation (i) those projects currently in progress and;
(ii) those that are being contemplated, on which GE engagement could be helpful;
(2) work with Pakistan to determine a path to meeting its energy goals, with a special focus on wind power and high efficiency gas turbines;
(3) help Pakistan develop its rail transportation system through expert consultations, addition of locomotives and rail signalling systems, and other advancements and solutions that GE can provide in the area;
(4) provide counsel and advice to Pakistan in the areas of energy and transportation where possible, including on such topics as electricity and rail system planning and management, fuel options for power generation, and regulatory and policy frameworks;
(5) assist Pakistan with identifying sources of funding necessary to implement projects in the areas of energy and transportation, including private and public sectors, export credit agencies, multilateral development banks and other international institutions;
(6) provide GE management and leadership training to such Pakistani middle and senior level managers and government officials in the energy and transportation sectors, where possible and as may be agreed;
(7) work with Pakistan to identify and possibly promote export opportunities and related jobs in the energy and transportation sectors and;
(8) localise support of GE products in Pakistan to the extent consistent with prudent business principles, GE business objectives, and Pakistan's economic development strategies.
Pakistan's commitments are as follows:
(i) provide support to the establishment and operation of GE facilities in Pakistan, consistent with Pakistani law and regulations, including the identification and implementation of incentives for GE investment in Pakistan, and help meet crucial infrastructural and policy needs for the successful implementation of agreed projects;
(ii) provide assistance in understanding and complying with relevant Pakistani regulations and policies in the areas of energy and transportation;
(iii) provide support for obtaining and securing funds for projects, including any sovereign guarantees, allow a stable investment climate for capital transfers and present opportunities for potential investors to participate in agreed projects;
(iv) provide assistance in facilitating dialogue between GE and Energy and Transportation ministers and other relevant officials and entities in Pakistan to enable and develop GE's advisory roles in the areas of energy and transportation;
(v) facilitate the issuance of work permits and visas for GE employees and contractors as needed to support the objectives of the MoU; and;
(vi) work with GE to facilitate the engagement of the United States and other governments to support and foster the expansion of commercial ties between Pakistan and GE.
TRANSPORTATION Indicative proposal submitted to Chairman Pakistan Railways on September 25, for 100 Nos 3000 HP and 50 Nos 2000 HP locos, financing through US Exim Bank, 100% Erie built.
GE is of the view that long -term maintenance agreement for proposed 150 locos for 18 years, will help PR have a highly reliable fleet with improved availability that translates to better asset utilisation. According to GE signalling modernisation will help PR increase its capacity achieve its "fast cargo" objectives, in addition to use of modern communications based signalling solutions that will enhance capacity without investing in double tracking.
Shehzad Arbab, an Additional Secretary in the Presidency is the focal person who is pursuing the relevant Ministries and organisation like Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and Railways Board. For this purpose, President Secretariat has forwarded a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the key Energy Ministries and Railways for its review, the sources added.
However, it is still unclear who tailored the draft of the MoU and what will be the net worth of the contracts in which the American company is interested. According to the draft MoU, a copy of which has been obtained from the PPIB, it has been proposed that Pakistan and GE will work intensively and co-operatively to identify energy and transportation projects in which the firm will have technologies and solutions suitable to Pakistan, to secure sources of public and privatise funding to facilitate such funding as much as possible, and to facilitate, as appropriate, the ability of GE to participate in such projects.
M/s GE is interested in energy including renewable energy where GE will assist Pakistan in achieving its goal of generating 54,000 MW power by 2020 through diverse energy sources. It has also been proposed that Pakistan and GE will explore expanding the scope of this MoU to encompass other sectors vital to Pakistan's infrastructure and economic development, such as healthcare, water treatment, air transportation and financial services.
According to the draft MoU GE's commitments are as follows:
(a) GE is willing to cooperate with Pakistan to identify the areas of Energy and Transportation (i) those projects currently in progress and;
(ii) those that are being contemplated, on which GE engagement could be helpful;
(2) work with Pakistan to determine a path to meeting its energy goals, with a special focus on wind power and high efficiency gas turbines;
(3) help Pakistan develop its rail transportation system through expert consultations, addition of locomotives and rail signalling systems, and other advancements and solutions that GE can provide in the area;
(4) provide counsel and advice to Pakistan in the areas of energy and transportation where possible, including on such topics as electricity and rail system planning and management, fuel options for power generation, and regulatory and policy frameworks;
(5) assist Pakistan with identifying sources of funding necessary to implement projects in the areas of energy and transportation, including private and public sectors, export credit agencies, multilateral development banks and other international institutions;
(6) provide GE management and leadership training to such Pakistani middle and senior level managers and government officials in the energy and transportation sectors, where possible and as may be agreed;
(7) work with Pakistan to identify and possibly promote export opportunities and related jobs in the energy and transportation sectors and;
(8) localise support of GE products in Pakistan to the extent consistent with prudent business principles, GE business objectives, and Pakistan's economic development strategies.
Pakistan's commitments are as follows:
(i) provide support to the establishment and operation of GE facilities in Pakistan, consistent with Pakistani law and regulations, including the identification and implementation of incentives for GE investment in Pakistan, and help meet crucial infrastructural and policy needs for the successful implementation of agreed projects;
(ii) provide assistance in understanding and complying with relevant Pakistani regulations and policies in the areas of energy and transportation;
(iii) provide support for obtaining and securing funds for projects, including any sovereign guarantees, allow a stable investment climate for capital transfers and present opportunities for potential investors to participate in agreed projects;
(iv) provide assistance in facilitating dialogue between GE and Energy and Transportation ministers and other relevant officials and entities in Pakistan to enable and develop GE's advisory roles in the areas of energy and transportation;
(v) facilitate the issuance of work permits and visas for GE employees and contractors as needed to support the objectives of the MoU; and;
(vi) work with GE to facilitate the engagement of the United States and other governments to support and foster the expansion of commercial ties between Pakistan and GE.
TRANSPORTATION Indicative proposal submitted to Chairman Pakistan Railways on September 25, for 100 Nos 3000 HP and 50 Nos 2000 HP locos, financing through US Exim Bank, 100% Erie built.
GE is of the view that long -term maintenance agreement for proposed 150 locos for 18 years, will help PR have a highly reliable fleet with improved availability that translates to better asset utilisation. According to GE signalling modernisation will help PR increase its capacity achieve its "fast cargo" objectives, in addition to use of modern communications based signalling solutions that will enhance capacity without investing in double tracking.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Shahbaz Sharif's briefing on Lahore Mass Transit Project
PUNJAB Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif briefed Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on various development projects, action against Qabza mafia and public transport. He said that revolutionary steps are being taken for the rapid development of the province, provision of basic amenities to the people, elimination of Qabza groups and provision of better transport facilities to the people, mass transit project and improvement of education, health and other sectors.
The CM said that provision of better transport facilities to the people was top priority of the government and a transport company had been set up in this regard. He said that nothing was done to improve public transport by the previous regime which increased the peoples’ problems. He said agreements had been inked with Chinese companies for provision of comfortable transport facilities to the people.
Briefing Nawaz on the mass transit project, the CM said that negotiation was going on with various foreign companies. He said two companies will soon give briefing about this project. Earlier, the chief secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue and the transport secretary briefed the meeting on action against Qabza groups and improvement of public transport.
The CM said that provision of better transport facilities to the people was top priority of the government and a transport company had been set up in this regard. He said that nothing was done to improve public transport by the previous regime which increased the peoples’ problems. He said agreements had been inked with Chinese companies for provision of comfortable transport facilities to the people.
Briefing Nawaz on the mass transit project, the CM said that negotiation was going on with various foreign companies. He said two companies will soon give briefing about this project. Earlier, the chief secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue and the transport secretary briefed the meeting on action against Qabza groups and improvement of public transport.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Plan to run buses on Ring Road
LAHORE, Dec 2: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered the preparation of a plan to provide transport facilities to the people on Ring Road.
The chief minister issued the orders after a briefing on pace of work on the Ring Road Project Package 6 and 7 by Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervez Khan in a visit to Package-7 of the project near Lahore airport on Tuesday night. He also ordered the completion of work on Package-6 by Dec 31 and Lahore-Kasur Road by Jan 31.
The chief secretary, the Planning and Development chairman, the senior Board of Revenue member and the Communications and Works secretary were also present.Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Model CNG Station Costing Rs150m for Karachi
ISLAMABAD: The government is to set a model mega CNG station in Karachi at the cost of Rs150.6 million to promote the CNG buses. 
The project to be executed by the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) is expected to be operational by the end of 2010.
‘The basic idea to establish a model mega CNG station is to encourage private sector to start setting up CNG stations for buses in future,’ said Hilal A Raza, director general HDIP.
He said that Karachi needed around 4,000 dedicated CNG buses and this demonstration would help establishment of CNG stations by the private sectors. Karachi will require around 15-16 mega CNG stations to provide fuel to the CNG buses. The planned mega station to be established would be sufficient for refuelling 200 to 250 CNG buses.
The working paper of the project said that the model CNG station would be equipped with around 4,000 to 4,500 cubic meters per hour compressor capacity and six mass flow dual hose dispensing units with two compressors around 2,000 cubic meter/hour capacity to refuel 12 buses at a time.
A petroleum ministry official said that the CNG stations were first established by the HDIP in country that encouraged the private sector to enter the sector. Currently the HDIP is operating four CNG refuelling stations each in Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar and Lahore.
Currently, Pakistan has the largest CNG industry in the world but it is limited to the petrol-run vehicles,’ the ministry official said.
The official said that the government was pursuing the policy to introduce CNG-based public transport to reduce diesel consumption, which is imported at a heavy cost.
The project is being introduced in Karachi as there is an urgent need for improving the air quality in the mega city and the land for this project is being provided by the Sindh government and the City District Government Karachi.
Despite repeated efforts by the government the project to introduce CNG buses has failed to take off since 2006, when the federal cabinet had approved the summary regarding replacement of diesel with CNG in public transport buses.
The aim of project initiated by the ministry of petroleum and natural resources was to replace the existing fleet of privately operated buses, mini-buses and wagons with dedicated CNG vehicles in ten major cities.
In line with the cabinet decision, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) had also approved a private-public partnership environment friendly public transport system in Oct 2007 for 8,000 CNG buses.
Currently, the bulk of diesel consumed in the country is met through imports and according to the official figures the transport sector consumed 7.5 million tons of HSD during the last fiscal year.
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