Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The revised estimated cost of laying of 106km railway line between Islamabad and Dhudial (AJK) reached Rs 125 million. In 2014 the cost of feasibility study of the project was Rs 60 million. Documents revealed that the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved Rs 125 million from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to complete the project.

Initially, Rs 60 million had been earmarked by which the feasibility study was completed for 117km railway track between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad, but on the instructions of Nawaz Sharif, the plan was revised as the railway line was extended to Dhudial instead of Muzaffarabad.

According to the feasibility report, the length of the track was reduced from 117.9km to 106km by adopting the policy of “rack track system”. The project would also be linked with CPEC via Havelian, Gilgit and Khunjerab. The reconstruction and renovation work on obsolete Margalla Railway Station Islamabad has been started in this connection.

The consultant is allowed to use best option out of the three. The first option is route via Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Convention Center, Bhara Kahu, Salgaran, Ghora Gali, Guldana and Jhinga Gali.

The second route could be Phulgaran via Islamabad-Murree Expressway. Third option would be a substitute route.