SC directs Sindh to approve KCR design in a month

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Sindh government to complete the process for approval of PC-I, signing of contract and issuance of work order of the revised design of Karachi Circular Railways tracks within a maximum period of one month.

Issuing orders on the Sindh government’s report over the KCR’s revised plan, the SC’s three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, directed the Sindh government to ensure that all requisite financial resources are made available, so that project could be completed as expeditiously as possible.

Earlier, the counsel of Frontier Works Organizations had pointed out that the feasibility report duly approved by the Pakistan Railways has been submitted to the Sindh government, which has neither approved the PC-I nor has any contract been signed or work order issued to the FWO. He also submitted that no funds have been released for the construction of underpasses and overhead bridges.

To a court query about non-compliance of the court directives, the AG Sindh submitted that the FWO, in consultation with the Pakistan Railways, has changed the scope of the project and has submitted a feasibility report, which requires certain portions of the KCR route to be elevated and certain branch lines to be connected with the main line, which would go much beyond the financial commitment made by the Sindh government. Contesting the AG Sindh's statement, commander FWO submitted that the organisation had surveyed the KCR route along with experts and consultants and found it impossible to construct underpasses and overhead bridges in certain areas and the most feasible way to operate the railways was by elevating the railways line to minimise obstruction to the traffic. He also submitted that the overall cost of the project remains the same.

To a query by the court if the design proposed by the FWO and its consultants was technically examined by the railways expert, the chairman railways confirmed, saying their technical experts found it to be compliant with all engineering and technical requirements, which would result in smooth operation of the KCR. He also submitted that there was no additional financial commitment required from the government of Sindh other than that earlier committed by the government of Sindh before the court.

After hearing the AG Sindh, chairman Pakistan Railways and commander FWO, the court observed that the revised design was feasible, technically sound and would result in successful and smooth operation of the KCR. The court observed that the maximum financial commitment of the government of Sindh was Rs6 billion as incorporated in March 6, 2020 order, which shall remain the same. The court directed the Sindh government to complete the approval of PC-I, signing of contract and issuance of work order of the revised Karachi Circular Railways design within one month. The court further directed the Sindh government to ensure that all requisite financial resources be made available so that project can be completed as expeditiously as possible.