Achi news desk-
Islamabad: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the revised PC-I for the ML-1 railway project, a key component of the $6.7 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), ARY News reported.
According to a statement, the CDWP has now forwarded the project to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
The Havelian Dry Port project has also been attached with the ML-1 project.
Meanwhile, the CDWP also approved seven small projects worth Rs 82.2 billion and sent three projects worth Rs 9.2 billion for ECNEC approval.
The Rs 58 billion Muzaffarabad-Mansehra Expressway project and the Rs 9.2 billion Mirpur-Mangla project have also been sent for ECNEC approval.
Read more: ML-1 project: NRA China vows to cooperate closely with Pakistan Railways
Earlier, the National Railway Administration (NRA), China pledged to work closely with Pakistan Railways to start ground operations for the ML-I project.
The Chinese government has promised full support for the ML-1 project, and will make joint efforts to ensure its speedy completion.
The ML-1 project is supposed to bring about a transformative change in Pakistan’s railway system, and both countries are committed to working together for the rapid realization of the project.
Project ML-1
The project, Pakistan’s first ever advanced railway project, aims to upgrade and double the 1733 kilometer long railway track from Karachi to Peshawar besides installing modern signaling and telecom systems.
The project also included full grade separation and fencing, making the journey time 10 hours between Lahore and Karachi, 2.45 hours between Lahore and Rawalpindi and 14.30 hours between Karachi and Peshawar.
The project includes construction of railway tracks between Nawabsha to Rohri, Multan to Lahore, Lahore to Lamosa, Kamari to Hyderabad, Hyderabad to Multan, Lamosa to Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi to Peshawar and the Ulyan dry port.
Upgrading the railway tracks will allow trains to travel at a speed of 140 kilometers per hour. The project also includes the construction of 2,096 bridges/bridges, 1,300 km of fencing, and grade 165/631 separation.
