The government has decided to make a dedicated double-track corridor from Karachi Port to a new rail-to-logistics terminal in Pipri Marshalling Yard to handle the port congestion.
Sources told the media that about 10,000 containers were parked at Karachi Port, which was a reason for acute congestion.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was told about the issue but no response came. Additionally, the problem of shortage of storage space at the West Wharf was still incomplete resolution.
During a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Transport and Logistics, the Ministry of Railways wanted its support for implementing the plan of constructing a double-track corridor.
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It was highlighted that a rail logistics study, executed with the help of the World Bank, had suggested the establishment of a dedicated double-track corridor from Karachi Port to a new rail-to-logistics terminal in Pipri Marshalling Yard.
In this regard, Pakistan Railways has finalized a feasibility study and it will help as the Extended Gate Facility for Karachi.
Moreover, the Gate Facility will be constructed under the public-private corporation mode and a strategy in this respect will be applied in a discussion with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
The Ministry of Railways during the cabinet committee meeting pursued pieces of land in the East Wharf and West Wharf for container piling and loading at Karachi Port container terminals.
It demanded Karachi Port Trust (KPT) to provide a declaration that railways would be delivered the first right of denial for taking containers to the envisioned destination.
The cabinet meeting was told that a huge number of containers were parked at Karachi Port, which was a basis of severe congestion.
However, the committee deliberated a summary named “KPT Pipri Dedicated Freight Corridor”, provided by the Ministry of Railways.
Besides, the cabinet committee was also given a briefing about a new rail link from the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal (PIBT) to the network of Pakistan Railways.
