ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Railways’ westward expansion plans gained momentum on Thursday when lawmakers were informed that the cost of the Basima-Jacobabad railway stretch has been re-estimated at $4.7 billion, with the acquisition of 13 acres of land already underway, marking a key step towards improving rail connectivity in Balochistan and beyond.
The update was shared with the Senate Standing Committee on Railways as part of deliberations on linking Gwadar to the national railway network, including the Main Line-1 project and possible regional connections via ML-3.
Meanwhile, preparations to connect Gwadar with the Main Line-1 (ML-1) rail project have entered a critical phase with the feasibility study of the long-planned project now complete.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan in Parliament, considered several developmental, administrative and financial issues of PR, including the proposed Gwadar rail connectivity project and its link with Quetta.
The officials informed the committee that the feasibility study to connect Gwadar with the main railway line had been completed and subsequently examined by an international firm. Preparations are underway to submit the project to the Railway Board for formal approval.
Funding options being considered include government resources as well as partnerships with mining companies.
Officials said direct rail connectivity between Gwadar and mineral-rich areas of Balochistan would significantly boost mineral exports. The committee was also briefed on the possibility of connecting Nokundi to the ML-3, which would provide rail access to Iran, Turkey and Russia.
Officials added that activation of Gwadar road would reduce traffic pressure on Karachi port.
Following the completion of the feasibility study of the Basima-Jacobabad railway section, the cost of the project has been re-estimated at $4.7 billion, while the process of acquiring 13 acres of land has already begun.
Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi told the committee that funding for the ML-1 project would now be secured from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and no longer from China.
He said detailed design and pre-qualification were underway and commencement of project works was expected by July. He added that PR was adopting a public-private partnership model for its projects and that, for the first time, provinces had been formally offered to participate in railway sidings.
The meeting also witnessed strong reactions from lawmakers, with Senator Rubina Khalid expressing deep frustration over the reopening of issues resolved a year and a half ago, calling poor inter-ministerial coordination a waste of time and resources.
A heated exchange took place between Senator Nasir Butt and the railway minister over the cancellation of a tender.
Senator Butt demanded transparency and accountability, while Abbasi rejected any allegations of personal favoritism, saying the tender was canceled only due to irregularities.
The committee expressed grave concern over illegal encroachments on railway land, non-implementation of Supreme Court orders and failure to reclaim land worth billions of rupees. He recommended clearing the title of railway lands and disposing of them through transparent auctions.
