CPEC: Upgradation of ML-1 to be executed in phases
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal this week announced that the upgradation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project will be executed in phases.
Chairing a meeting concerning on CPEC, he maintained that both Pakistan and China had agreed to expedite the commencement of the ML-1 project.
Ahsan Iqbal directed the Ministry of Railways to finalize all documentation and necessary preparations to initiate the project promptly.
He also mentioned that both countries have decided to hold an early meeting of the Joint Financing Committee to determine the project’s timeline and completion stages.
The Minister emphasized the importance of demonstrating commitment to the successful execution of projects included in the second phase of CPEC.
In the recent 13th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, held online with Beijing and Islamabad officials, there was a strong focus on enhancing security for Chinese workers in Pakistan.
The JCC meeting addressed joint energy and infrastructure development projects under CPEC, including the ML-1 railway project.
Regarding the ML-1 project, Iqbal confirmed that significant progress has been made. The revised project feasibility study, valued at US $ 6.76 billion, has been approved for implementation in two phases. The project is now ready for the bidding process among eligible Chinese companies, which Iqbal urged to commence immediately due to the deteriorating condition of the existing railway tracks.
Ahsan Iqbal also provided an update on the completed CPEC projects. Since its inception in 2013, CPEC has made substantial progress, particularly in the energy sector, with 16 completed projects generating a total capacity of 8,020 megawatts, alongside two coal mines and a 660 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line.
The 884 MW Suki Kinari hydropower project, valued at $1.707 billion, is still under construction and expected to be commissioned by November 2024.
Three additional power projects, including the Azad Pattan (700 MW), Kohala (1124 MW), and a coal-based project in Gwadar (2124.7 MW), are at an advanced stage, representing a total investment of US $ 4.157 billion.
