Saad asks Chinese govt to start work on ML-1

Pakistan Railways (PR) minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said the upgradation and dualization of mainline-1 is key project for the PR, adding the Chinese leadership will be requested to start work on it during his upcoming visit to the neighbouring country. Beside the up-gradation and doubling of ML-1 from Karachi to Peshawar and Taxila to Havelian (1733 km), the other purposes of the multi-billion project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are laying of a new track with improved subgrade for 160 km/h, increase in speed from 65-105 km/h to 120-160 km/h of trains, rehabilitation and construction of major bridges, provision of modern signalling and telecom systems, conversion of level crossings into underpasses/ fly overs, fencing of track, establishment of dry port near Havelian and up-gradation of Walton Training Academy.

Presiding over a meeting at railways headquarters on Friday, he also issued direction to the management for developing a plan to increase the earning of freight sector. Member of railways board including Ishfaq Khatak, Javed Bobak and Anjum Pervaiz attended. The meeting decided to expedite construction work on Sibi-Hernai section to ensure its completion in three months. The project had faced four years delay. The meeting also decided to extend Jaffar Express route till Much Railway Station from November. The participants expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on Hark Bridge and decided to enhance the capacity of railways police.

The department will induct young officers of the railways and professionals from the market to improve the performance of the public utility.