ISLAMABAD, Sep.8 – To ensure the establishment of a dependable and efficient railway infrastructure aimed at overcoming geographical constraints associated with Thar Coal transportation across the country, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday endorsed a Rs 55.97 billion rail connectivity project for submission to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
This project is intended to provide an eco-friendly means of transporting coal while maintaining environmental considerations. The project envisages the construction of a 105-kilometer-long new single line Railway Track infrastructure from Thar Coal Mines to New Chhor Station and the construction of an 18-kilometre Double Line Track which includes 4.20-kilometre-long loop lines from Bin Qasim to Port Qasim.
The main objective of the project is to connect Thar Coal mines and Port Qasim with the railway through New Rail Links and is aligned with the sectoral objectives of Vision 2025 by providing bulk transportation facilities meeting the requirements of the growing economy, according to an official statement.
The project is to enable the utilization of indigenous Thar coal to bring import bills in line with the pillar of Pakistan Vision 2025 and enable expansion of Thar coal to rationalize fuel costs, thus bringing reduction in the cost of production of electricity besides ensuring the uplift of the local populace of Tharparkar through generation of royalty and job creation.
Demand for coal in Pakistan is mainly driven by two major sectors, i.e., the power sector and the cement industry. The demand for coal will further increase due to upcoming capacity additions in both the power and cement sectors. With the successful commercial operation of indigenous coal power plants in Thar coal fields, growing coal demand must be met through Thar coal to displace imported coal. Such initiatives have already been noticed where upcoming coal-based power capacity addition is being designed on Thar coal.
The meeting of CDWP was held under the Deputy Chairmanship of the Planning Commission, Dr Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, and was attended by the Secretary Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives, the Chief Economist, Members Planning Commission, and representatives from the various ministries.
