The Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Senator Rubina Khalid, recently held discussions on enhancing the rail network for Gwadar Port. This project has progressed to its second phase, after completing the first. It aims to connect Gwadar Port with the Main Line-1 (ML-1) and Quetta, significantly bolstering rail connectivity in the region.
In Thursday’s meeting, officials briefed the Committee about the ongoing efforts to construct new railway links for seamless connectivity between Gwadar Port, ML-1, and Quetta. The project’s land acquisition is segmented into three phases. With the first phase already finalized, the second phase is well underway.
The integration of Gwadar Port to ML-1 through this railway project is anticipated to be a catalyst for the port’s growth and an enhancement for Pakistan Railways. The Committee instructed Pakistan Railways to expedite the preparation of the PC-1 document to secure swift approval for the project’s next steps.
The members of the Committee also received updates on the Gwadar Port Master Plan, including the current status of the land acquired by the Gwadar Port Authority. The Master Plan features a multi-use area and an industrial zone. Out of the grand total of 21,471 acres earmarked for the project, 2,350 acres have been acquired, leaving 19,121 acres still to be secured.
Senator Khalid highlighted the crucial need for an efficient industrial waste management plan to mitigate the threat of pollution to the Gwadar sea. The Committee stressed this as a pressing requirement to protect the maritime environment during this developmental phase.
The strategic effort to enhance rail connectivity for the Gwadar Port with critical points like Quetta is expected to usher in a new era of economic and infrastructural development, marking a significant stride in Pakistan’s march towards connectivity and commercial growth.
UAE rolls over $2 billion deposits to Pakistan for another year