ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Railways is contemplating two proposals for the establishment of new rail links between Gwadar and other parts of the country in connection with China-Pak Economic Corridor. One proposal for linking Gwadar with Karachi along Makran Coastal Highway which is 700-km-long and the second one is Linking Gwadar with Jacobabad via Turbat, Punjgur, Besima and Khuzdar which is 1,048-km-long.
According to the Pakistan Railways, a PC-II amounting to Rs135.500 million for carrying out feasibility studies of the proposed links has been approved by Planning Commission for which funding would be provided in fiscal year 2014-15.
According to reports, ground work on the project will commence after completion of the feasibility study.
The project could be completed by 2017-18 provided the financial and economic viability of the scheme is established and availability of requisite funds is ensured as determined in the feasibility study.
It is to be noted the proposals are part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework.
