ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan Railways will build a 682-kilometer rail link between Havelian and Khunjrab, a high mountain pass in Karakoram Mountains which connect Pakistan and China.
Talking to the state-run news agency, an official in the Ministry of Railways said that Havelian with be connected with Khunjrab under Pak-China rail link project of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The official said that the feasibility study for the proposed rail link will be conducted by Pakistan Railways.
The Ministry of Railways official said that Havelian-Khunjrab rail link is part of railway Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) year 2017-18.
The official said that the length of the rail link from Havelian to Khunjrab is 682 kilometers, and the project included the construction of railway stations, substations, parking facilities and related infrastructure and the installation of signals and safety systems.
Moreover, he said that the actual cost of the project would be worked out after detailed feasibility study and design of the project.
The official further said that in order to maximize the international trade potential between China, Pakistan and beyond, it is considered imperative to provide access to the Arabian Sea.
Accordingly, he said, that the long term vision envisages connectivity of proposed Havelian-Khunjrab rail link with Gwadar through ML-2 and onwards from Jacobabad to Khuzdar, Besima, Panjgur, Hoshab and Turbat under CPEC.
