KARACHI: The test run of the much-awaited Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) has begun, as a KCR train comprising four bogies and two locomotives travelled a 14-kilometre-long distance from Karachi’s City Railway Station to Orangi Town, according to the people familiar with the matter.
The train took around two hours to cover the entire distance which was supposed to take minutes, they said, adding this was due to the dilapidated condition of the tracks and stations.
As the railway ministry has announced to run the first train from November 16, not a single station, platform or ticket office was in presentable condition, sources said.
Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had last Wednesday said that the 14km KCR track was ready while the remaining track would be laid by the Sindh government. “As many as 10 coaches are ready to ply the KCR track while work on 40 more coaches is underway” he added.
According to Pakistan Railways, the KCR project would be completed in three phases. The length of the project was 43.13km, including 14.95km on ground and 28.18km elevated. KCR would have 24 stations and its per-day ridership would be around 550,000.
In the first phase, the KCR line from Karachi City Station to Orangi Town would become operational with 32 trains plying on the track. Its per-day ridership would be around 16,000, while the restoration of the first phase will cost Rs1.25 billion.
The second phase of KCR would cost Rs8.70 billion, whereas the third phase would be completed under public-private partnership.
At least they are starting the project.
Carry on
Nice to hear that at least they took the initiative
Very good but CM is unhappy,he always looks happy when citizens of Karachi in trouble.
Bharwa hai wo bc
Actual KCR comprised of:
LANDHI JN. to KARACHI CITY station. It is called Local train not Circular Railway. The stations were Landhi, Malir, Malir Halt, Airport, Drigh Colony, Drigh Riad JN. , Paf Faisal, Airforce Halt, Chanaser Halt, Karachi Cantt. Karachi City. Seprate lane and plateform were for local trains.
KCR had two routes. One from Landhi Jn. to Korangi that was not under consideration. All forget that route. KORANGI CROSSING is actually train gate this train route was up to PAF Korangi base.
The well known KCR was from City Station to Drigh Road Jn. The stations are Wazir Mansion, Baldia (Gulbai), Site, Habib Bank, Nazimabad called ORANGI, Liaqatabad, Gillani ( Gulshan Iqbal), urdu college, Nipa, Gulistan Johar, COD, Drigh Road Jn.
A seprate lane was laid from Baldia (Gulbai) to Mochko (PNS ATISH) VIA Maripur base MASROOR.
Other routes were from Drigh road to COD and one for DALMIA.
Other one was from Model Colony to MALIR CANNT. very long and effective route.
On the name of KCR we are still playing with people and not have a will to restore all routes. If they do so lot of transport issues solved.
Agreed
Very well analysed
Where did you got so much knowledge about kcr…its a long forlorn project
I am a karachiat, and Happy hear that KCR test run has done 👏👏👏👏
What happened to to KCR rout under “saat number Pull” the bridge was demolished to ground for main road.
It actually used to be called Local Train. It is not KCR. Its a mazaaq with the people of Karachi.
U may add who stopped all this system ( may be Khan bhai ki transport is the reason ) , and now wat is the hurdle to start again, I think in punjab PTI vs N league and in sindh PTI vs PPP, agar PTI wants to start some thing gud tu ppp kiyoun hoonay daay gee ? Vote bank kaa sawal hai. Duniya mien trains upgrade hoo rahi hien aur karachi jo thaa woo bhi khatam kar diya
Thanks for interesting information.
I can bet, this is a futile project,like all other day dreaming projects of piti huyi gov…only a waste of public money…. A sham only…
This new truck of KCR train inarugated from 16th of intant, is not efficency of our sind government. Locak government assemed ad such activities for the betterment of province n specially for Karachi peoples.
It is a good start, but project must be completed as per plan on fast track.
At least it’s better than BRT
👍
Good step of Govt. Atleast initiative started
With no infrastructure, its a joke with karachiites.
They always place cart before the horse why waste so much money for point scoring and political mileage why run a train just for 14 km spending all that money taking 2 hours with dilapidated tracks and inadequate arrangements at stations .Why sindh govt dragging its feet to complete the rest of the project.
Its a long awaited will of karachi residents.appreciate that isay thank u to the GOVT.
It should be complete as per design rauot.
very good
One more route KCR is Malir can’t to Leyari junction via Malir Hallt,Airport,Drigh Road Gulshan e Iqbal North Nazimabad ,still pending so please immediately resumed the route. Thanks S.Mashooq Ali