KARACHI: Federal government will rehabilitate the track between Rehmani Nagar and Bakrani Road on Dadu-HabibKot Section (Sukkur Division Phase-4) at the cost of almost Rs2 billion.

Planning Commission recently approved the project at the cost of almost Rs2 billion. Out of approved cost, government would arrange Rs1.254 billion from local resources and Rs732 million from foreign resources, the working paper of project showed.

The PC-I of the subject project envisages rehabilitation of 56 Km long section of ML-2 i.e. between Rehmani Nagar and Bakrani Road on Dadu-HabibKot Section by complete renewal of track and lop lines with 54 Kg UIC rails and PSC Sleepers.

The project scope also includes rehabilitation of 20 numbers of level crossing and procurement of track related machinery.

Existing track on Rehmani Nagar and Bakrani Road Section has mostly outlived its designed life in respect of rails and sleepers.

This section is laid with 90-Lbs rails laid during 1927. The average life of rail on branch line is about 50 years. Whereas axle loads are increasing day by day. This has further resulted in the weakening of existing track infrastructure.

Therefore there is a dire need to replace the overage track components i.e. rails, sleepers & fitting etc to make it fit for safe running of trains/rolling stock.

Existing sectional speed of ML-2 is generally 75 to 80 Km/h. Whereas existing capacity of the RINR-BKR Section has been compromised due to over-aged track and specifically due to engineering restrictions on old RCC, metal, wooden sleepers & old rails which range from 30 to 40 Km/h.

This project would fill this gap and restore the sectional speed to its normal i.e. 75 Km/h.