Islamabad February 4 2025: Pakistan to achieve financial closure for the Main Line (ML-1) rail project by the end of this month, according to Pakistan Railway officials.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways on Tuesday inquired about the current status of the Main Line (ML-1) project.
The meeting was chaired by Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, MNA.
The Secretary, Ministry of Railways replied that a delegation of Chinese experts would visit Pakistan in late February and the financial plan of the project would be finalized. Then, the work on this project would be started immediately after bidding.
The Committee recommended to start work on ML-1 as early as possible as it was a game changer project and also recommended to repair the other tracks too.
The cost of the project has been reduced from $10 billion to $6.8 billion for 1,733 km long railway line. The ML1 project will be constructed in three phases. The project includes Up-gradation and Doubling of Main Line-1 (ML-1) from Karachi to Peshawar and Taxila to Havelian (1733 km). This will be done by laying of a new track with improved subgrade for 160 km/h speed. Under this project railway will also equip the new track with Modern Signaling & Telecom Systems.
