Daily Times

The Supreme Court once again has directed the concerned authorities to restore the Karachi Circular Railway within a month. If it is not processed within the said deadline, the situation could get more perturbing for authorities and citizens alike. Secondly, the SC has also expressed displeasure over non-implementation of its orders.

The restoration of Karachi Circular Railway- a realistic goal or just a dream- remains a big question. According to an estimated survey on the track, there is massive encroachment with more than 4,500 houses. If the houses are collapsed, it will be difficult for political parties to keep their vote bank alive.

The railway administration and the federal minister (Sheikh Rashid) had been causing obstructions, rants Sindh transport minister

Despite four-day procrastination, the encroachments are still on the track since the transport mafia is not in favor of the restoration of circular railway for that would affect depressingly over the local bus service.

The Pakistan Railway Minister, Sheikh Rashid over this issue said that no plan has been finalized to build the KCR adding that if this circular railway project is not built now, it will never ever be built in the future.

The citizens complain that every work, which is in the favor of a common person, takes longer time and faces many hurdles. “If the SC has taken decision to complete the process concerned, all should do it as soon as possible”, urged the citizens.

An old Karachiite said till the year 1999, Karachi had local train facility, and passengers were really contented, but some conspiracies from bigwigs did not let it be for localities. Hence, just after its shutdown, the private transport began to make money, he said.

The people are in need for restoration, therefore, the Apex court is again requested to take some action in black and white against mafias to restore as soon as possible.

Citizens urge authorities to abide by SC orders to remove encroachments for KCR project

On the other hand, Sindh Transport Minister Syed Awais Qadir Shah said the provincial government was ready to end encroachments on the land reserved for the KCR project.

The issue of encroachments on the KCR land could not be resolved till the time Rashid was the railways minister, he lamented.

The railway administration and the federal minister had been causing obstructions in this regard and the charge had been given to irresponsible person, he alleged.

The citizens are worried that the Sindh transport ministry has signed an agreement with a big private bus service provider that would translate into running of 1,000 buses in Karachi in coming months. However, circular railway is only possible if SC strictly orders to do away with corruptions in the departments.