The present coalition government, with its one component a majority party of Karachi, has also failed to materialise the dream of revival of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), an important rail-based commuting system of this city with 18 million plus population.
The government of General Pervez Musharraf (retd) had announced revival of the KCR more than a decade ago, but no concrete efforts were taken during his long regime except rosy political statements.
The sitting democratic government also announced revival of this important project but despite the passage of four years it is still a distant dream to the dismay of Karachiites, who had hoped the coalition government, having a strong representation of a majority party of Karachi, would deliver in this regard. It has been repeatedly announced that the KCR was being revived with the assistance of Japanese government; however, efforts on ground are yet to be seen.
Karachi Circular Railway's (KCR) and proposed Mass Rapid Transit System for Karachi aims to connect several industrial and commercial districts within the city and outlying suburbs. The system will consist of a loop line, encircling the entire city of Karachi and is expected to carry around 70,000 passengers a day when completed. However, due to a lack of money and political will it might take a long to see actual progress on the project.
The revival project includes the transformation of the old Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) into a mass transit system. The total length of the railway line is expected to be 50km and will cost about $1.58bn. The old KCR was opened in 1964. The railway ceased operations in 1999 after it suffered huge losses.
Karachi is among the biggest cities of the world with a steadily growing population. It is estimated that the city's population will increase to 27.5 million in 2020. The projected population growth needs an efficient mass transportation system.
In May 2008, a semi-autonomous entity, the Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC), was incorporated to execute the project. Work on the project was scheduled to start in 2010 and complete by 2014; however, the work is yet to be started.
It is said that the execution of the project is facing hurdles in land acquisition. Several households have been illegally living along the right of way of the proposed KCR. A resettlement action plan study was proposed to identify and provide land for the people affected by the project; however, the plan is in limbo due to several factors, mainly lack of political will as soft funding for the project from Japan is available.
A feasibility study for the revival of the KCR was conducted by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in 2006. UK-based Scott Wilson Railways was appointed to validate the report prepared by JETRO.
Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), which is funding the project, sponsored a final study prepared by Special Assistance for Project Formulation (SAPROF). US-based consultants Louis Berger validated the final report.
The study prepared by JETRO recommended that the project should be executed in two phases. Phase I of the project will include a 28.3km circular section from Karachi Cantt to a proposed station at Gulistan-e-Johar. About 9km of this section will be elevated.
Phase II will consist 14.8km circular section from Gulistan-e-Johar to the proposed station at Liaquatabad. This section will have two dedicated tracks along the main line.
Phase II also includes a 5.9km airport line from Drigh Road to Jinnah Airport. This extension will either have an elevated or underground track. Other bridges, culverts and underpasses, wherever necessary, will be constructed for the project.
Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) is providing the entire funding for the project through a soft loan. The loan is payable in 40 years by the stakeholders of the City District Government Karachi (renamed as KMC), Pakistan Railways and Government of Sindh (KUTC). The KUTC has to initiate an international tendering process for the project, awarded on a turnkey basis.
The modernised KCR will follow a circular path, covering Karachi Cantt, Karachi city, Wazir mansion, Liaquatabad, Depot Hill, Drigh Road and Departure Yard. The extension towards the airport will start from Drigh Road and follow the path of the Pakistan Railways towards the airport. The project will include the construction of 19 underpasses and three overhead bridges. About 23 stations are planned for the project. The stations will feature computerised ticketing and vending machines, automated ticket gates and elevators. The existing KCR has about 22 level crossings. Since the railway line passes through the major commercial areas of the city, these level crossings need to be removed to ensure that trains can operate at the proposed 6min headway. The level crossings are expected to be removed and replaced by underpasses or overpasses.
The new KCR will be served by electric multiple units (EMU) with a capacity to carry 1,400 passengers.
The maximum speed of the EMUs will be 100km/h. About 290 trains are expected to operate daily at a six-minute headway.