ISLAMABAD (April 30 2010): The Ministry of Railways is all set to revive Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) shortly, as the Japanese government has agreed to provide Rs 128.6 billion loan to the Ministry for initiating work on the project. "It is expected that loan agreement will be signed between the two governments in mid 2010. It will be opened for public by 2014", said Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Federal Minister for Railways.
While briefing the media about the KCR project, Bilour said that Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) would arrange 93.5 percent funding of project costing $1558.8 million through soft loan at a markup of 0.2 percent payable in 40 years including 10 years grace period remaining expenditure of 6.5 percent would be borne by the stake holders of KUTC.
"Due to lack of investment in infrastructure, rolling stock etc, the operational efficiency was marginalized, increasing running time, lesser number of trains resulting in reduction of passengers and eventually KCR was closed for passenger traffic in December 1999", federal minister said, adding that work on stage I and II of the project would be commenced, simultaneously and would be completed within three-year time by introducing two eight-hour shifts.
Bilour said to plan an effective public transportation system in the city of Karachi, numerous studies were arranged but due to various reasons, mainly lack of funds, no project could be implemented. Minister said the KCR would be revived in two phases, as Modern Commuter System for the citizens of Karachi and Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) will be provided by Ministry of Railways, government of Sindh and City District government Karachi as shareholders on the basis of their equity.
The minister said in October 2005 Japan External Trade Organisation carried out a feasibility study and recommended the revival of KCR, as a viable project for mitigating the commuters' problems. He said the donor agency namely JICA sponsored a final study named Special Assistance for Project Formation SAPROF for the project and the final report was received in April last year, with estimated cost of $1558.8 million (Rs 128.6 billion).
"As many as 290 trains per day will operate at 6 minutes headway in each direction with capacity of 1391 passengers per trains, 30602 passengers per hour and 0.69 million passengers per day", he said. He said the stations would be provided with computerised ticketing, automated ticket gates, vending machines and elevators, adding that the entire KCR will be provided with electric traction infrastructure and modern signalling and telecommunication.
He said the project would be implemented on private public partnership and International Consultant will be engaged for designing of the project. Consultant M/s. Louis Berger US with local Consultant Associates has carried out third party validation of SAPROF final report.
The minister said the Satellite Imagery of KCR route has been completed by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). The KCR was constructed and opened for traffic in two phases in the year 1964 and 1970. It was originated from Drigh Road Station on main line and after crossing Shahrah-e-Faisal passes through populated areas of Gulshan-e-lqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, SITE, Baldia, Lyari, Kharadar and finally touches Karachi City Station.
While briefing the media about the KCR project, Bilour said that Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) would arrange 93.5 percent funding of project costing $1558.8 million through soft loan at a markup of 0.2 percent payable in 40 years including 10 years grace period remaining expenditure of 6.5 percent would be borne by the stake holders of KUTC.
"Due to lack of investment in infrastructure, rolling stock etc, the operational efficiency was marginalized, increasing running time, lesser number of trains resulting in reduction of passengers and eventually KCR was closed for passenger traffic in December 1999", federal minister said, adding that work on stage I and II of the project would be commenced, simultaneously and would be completed within three-year time by introducing two eight-hour shifts.
Bilour said to plan an effective public transportation system in the city of Karachi, numerous studies were arranged but due to various reasons, mainly lack of funds, no project could be implemented. Minister said the KCR would be revived in two phases, as Modern Commuter System for the citizens of Karachi and Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) will be provided by Ministry of Railways, government of Sindh and City District government Karachi as shareholders on the basis of their equity.
The minister said in October 2005 Japan External Trade Organisation carried out a feasibility study and recommended the revival of KCR, as a viable project for mitigating the commuters' problems. He said the donor agency namely JICA sponsored a final study named Special Assistance for Project Formation SAPROF for the project and the final report was received in April last year, with estimated cost of $1558.8 million (Rs 128.6 billion).
"As many as 290 trains per day will operate at 6 minutes headway in each direction with capacity of 1391 passengers per trains, 30602 passengers per hour and 0.69 million passengers per day", he said. He said the stations would be provided with computerised ticketing, automated ticket gates, vending machines and elevators, adding that the entire KCR will be provided with electric traction infrastructure and modern signalling and telecommunication.
He said the project would be implemented on private public partnership and International Consultant will be engaged for designing of the project. Consultant M/s. Louis Berger US with local Consultant Associates has carried out third party validation of SAPROF final report.
The minister said the Satellite Imagery of KCR route has been completed by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). The KCR was constructed and opened for traffic in two phases in the year 1964 and 1970. It was originated from Drigh Road Station on main line and after crossing Shahrah-e-Faisal passes through populated areas of Gulshan-e-lqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, SITE, Baldia, Lyari, Kharadar and finally touches Karachi City Station.
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