Pakistan Railways (PR) and the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) have joined hands to upgrade the Main Line-2 (ML-2) as a dedicated freight corridor, enabling the authorities to transport goods to several cities in the country within a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dedicated freight corridor project will cost around $2 billion, according to Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe had an important meeting with the NLC authorities on Thursday, wherein we both agreed to start working on developing a dedicated freight corridor at the ML-2 starting from Kotri and ending at Attock. For this, we agreed to appoint an international consultant to carry out feasibility and other preparatory works ahead of executing this vital project,\u201d Mr Abbasi explained while talking to Dawn on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe project will cost around $2bn, which will be arranged by NLC on its own by getting financed through banks or funding agencies,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It merits mentioning that the ML-2 is an important route measuring nearly 1,250 kilometers. There are over 90 operational railway stations from Kotri to Attock, including many in interior Sindh. The important stations situated on the route include Kotri, Sehwan Sharif, Dadu, Mohenjodaro, Larkana, Shah Nawaz Bhutto, Habibkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandkot, Kot Mithan, Rajanpur, Jampur, DG Khan, Shadan Lund, Bhakkar, Piplan, Mianwali, Jand and Attock City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nNLC to arrange $2bn through banks or funding agencies<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The minister said the ML-2 [upgrade] project would have a new and dedicated track for the goods\/freight trains with various other modern facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n