ISLAMABAD: The only rail project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the western route would kick off in 2025.
Under the project, a rail track would be laid down from Kola Jam Bhakkar to Bostan Railway Station. The project has been included in the category of midterm projects instead of long-term projects, which would start in 2030. The opposition parties had demanded early completion of the rail project because it would benefit the most neglected areas of the country.
Daily Times has learnt that the rail project under the CPEC would be completed in two phases. In the first phase, 295 kilometres long railway line would be laid down from Bostan to Zhob and in the second phase the remaining part of the project from Zhob to Kola Jam Bhakkar would be completed.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Zhob railway track was laid down in 1929 and it was closed down by the government in 1991 due to operational losses incurred by the Pakistan Railways. The railway track was removed in 2007 from Zhob to Bostan Railways Station and the government could not succeed to set up a rail link between Zhob and Bostan during the last 25 years.
The feasibility report of the project has not been completed yet due to a lack of funds. It is worth mentioning here that the government has declared this rail project impracticable.
Under the CPEC, China would invest $46 billion in Pakistan. Of this amount, $35,083 million would be invested in the energy sector, $6,094 million in the road infrastructure, $3,690 million in the railways, $793 million in Gwadar Seaport and $46 million in various small projects.