SC directs Sindh to expedite approval of 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 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.