ISLAMABAD

Federal Minister Planning, Development & Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said that federal government desires to launch Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project as early as possible. Federal and Sindh governments want Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to execute this project.
He stated this while chairing a review meeting of KCR at Ministry of Planning, Development & Reforms. Officials of Sindh government & Railway Ministry and representatives of JICA participated in the meeting.
Ahsan Iqbal urged that since JICA has a long association with KCR, so the government also considers its first right to execute the project. But it should come up with the clear timelines for launching this project. “We look forward to the shortest timelines so that this vital project can be launched at its earliest”, the minister maintained.
KCR track encircling the Karachi would have 43.12 kms length. It will have 24 stations and train would have five minute headway/interval. It would cater project passengers of 0.58 million per day in Karachi.
About the issues causing the delay in the launch of KCR, the minister said that Sindh should make all efforts to remove all the hurdles like compensation and acquisition of lands for the project. He urged that it would be done in a win-win mood for all the stakeholders.
The minister said that launch of KCR would resolve the chronic problem of public transport in Karachi to large extent
The JICA representative thanked the government for showing support for launch of KCR said that the message would be conveyed to JICA head office and then it would be able to respond to government’s desire on timelines.