ISLAMABAD Dec 02 (TNS): Minister for Railways Saad Rafique says that up-gradation of the railway track from Jacobabad to Quetta would increase traffic flow by 5 percent.
The trains had to run at very low speed and carry small loads as the track was hilly and the track improvement would help in utilization of their full capacity, he said.
The minister said the feasibility for up-gradation of the Jacobabad-Quettta section was in final stages and funds would be allocated in the next budget to acquire land. He said the Pakistan Railways was in process to acquire new locomotives to be used for freight transportation on the Jacobabad route.
He also said that up-gradation of M-1 at the cost of $8 billion was also in pipeline, which on completion would enhance speed of trains up to 165 km per hour. $8 billion loan would be acquired on mutually accepted terms and conditions. “We want an agreement with China beneficial to Pakistan,” he added.
As a result of successful ongoing anti-encroachment operation being carried out since 2012 in six phases, the PR managed to retrieve 443.081 acres land from grabbers with the assistance of PR police and district administration. In order to avoid accidents, signals and sirens designed by COMSATS would be installed at the unmanned crossings.
The feasibility of linking Gwadar with Mastung via Basima 960 kms and Basima with Jacobabad through Khuzdar 3000 was in advance stage.
