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Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line (Urdu: کراچی–پشاور مرکزی ریل راستہ, romanized: karāčī-pešāvar markazī rēl rāsta) (also referred to as Main Line 1 or ML-1) is one of four main railway lines in Pakistan, operated and maintained by Pakistan Railways. The line starts from Kiamari station in the province of Sindh and ends at Peshawar Cantonment Station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The railway track is dual between Keamari and Shahdara Bagh, Chaklala and Golra Sharif. The total length of the line is 1,687 kilometers (1,048 mi), with 176 railway stations in between. The line serves as the country's main passenger and freight line with 75% of the country's cargo and passenger traffic.
In 2016, funding for a six-year US$ 6.8 billion upgrade and renovation project was agreed as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, with the average speed expected to be doubled to 140 kilometers per hour upon completion. The project has been delayed several times since then.
History
Main article: History of rail transport in PakistanThe present-day Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line was built as a patchwork of different railways during the British Raj during the 19th century. The present-day line consists of the following historic sections built between 1861 and 1900:
- Karachi–Kotri section, opened in 1861 (Kotri Bridge over the Indus River, opened in 1899)
- Kotri–Rohri section, opened in 1900
- Rohri–Multan section, opened in 1879 (Empress Bridge (near Bahawalpur) over the Sutlej River, opened in 1878)
- Multan–Lahore section, opened in 1861
- Lahore–Peshawar section, opened in 1876 (Attock Bridge over the Indus River, opened in 1883)
Early development
The Scinde Railway was constructed in 1861 as a 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge railway line between Karachi and Kotri. Work on the line had commenced in April 1858 and was the first railway line for public use in the region. Following the completion of the line, the Indus Steam Flotilla began docking in Kotri (instead of Karachi) from Multan. The Punjab Railway was constructed and inaugurated in late 1861 as a 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge railway line between Multan and Lahore, and later extended to Amritsar. Thus the travel time between Sindh and Punjab was greatly reduced together with the Scinde Railway, Indus Steam Flotilla and Punjab Railways; the previous 40 day journey between Karachi and Lahore was reduced to 48 hours.
Mergers & expansion
In 1870, the Scinde, Punjab & Delhi Railway was formed from the incorporation of the Scinde Railway, Indus Steam Flotilla, Punjab Railway and Delhi Railway companies to increase the efficiency of passenger and cargo transport between Sindh and Punjab. However, the rail gap between Kotri and Multan was considered a hassle as the Indus River and Sutlej River were major obstacles to cross at the time. In 1871, the Indus Valley State Railway was inaugurated and construction began on extending the railway line from Multan south towards Bahawalpur (crossing the Sutlej River) and onwards to Rohri. In 1876, the Punjab Northern State Railway was constructed between Lahore and Peshawar and in 1883 the Attock Bridge over the Indus River was opened. In 1878, the Empress Bridge over the Sutlej River was opened and in 1879 the Indus Valley State Railway reached Rohri. From Rohri, a steam ferry would transport eight rail carriages at a time across the Indus between Rohri and Sukkur. This was found to be cumbersome and time-consuming. In 1889, the Lansdowne Bridge between Rohri and Sukkar was opened and in 1893, work on the Kotri Bridge commenced. It was only in 1900 that the section between Rohri and Kotri was completed. In 1885, all the companies were merged to form the North Western State Railway.
ML-1 upgrade
Since 2015 plans were drawn to expand and reconstruct the ML-1 main line, funded by Chinese loans, as part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. The plan involves doubling the track from Karachi to Peshawar, providing grade separation, as well as communications-based train control.
The first phase is expected to cost of US$3.65 billion. In June 2016, China and Pakistan unveiled plans for the second phase of the project, with a total cost of US$8.2 billion for both phases of the project.
The first phase was expected to be completed by December 2017, with the second phase expected to be completed in 2021. The project has been delayed for years, with reports in January 2022 suggesting that there was no funding plan in place and China also reluctant to provide capital. As of 2023 the upgrade project has not been initiated.
Upgrading of the railway line will permit train travel at speeds of 160 kilometers per hour, versus the average 60 to 105 km per hour speed currently possible on existing track, and is expected to increase Pakistan Railways' annual revenues by approximately US$480 million. The upgrades are also expected to cut transit times from Karachi to Peshawar by half. Pakistani railways currently account for 4% of freight traffic in the country, and upon completion of CPEC, Pakistani railways are expected to transport 20% of the country's freight traffic by 2025.
Upgrade plan
At the time of CPEC's announcement, the ML-1 dual track consisted between Karachi, and the Lahore suburb of Shahdara and between Golra Sharif and Chaklala, with long stretches of single track. Construction works to dualize the track between Lodhran to Shahdara were completed and inaugurated in January 2016. As part of the first phase of the CPEC railway project, the remaining stretch of track between Shahdara and Peshawar is to be upgraded to a dual track railway.
The first part of the expedited first phase of the project will focus on upgrading the Multan to Peshawar section, which will then be followed by the Hyderabad to Multan section, and finally by the Hyderabad to Karachi section.
The 676-kilometer portion between Lalamusa, north of Lahore, and Peshawar will require complete reconstruction with the addition of tunnels, culverts, and bridges, while over 900 kilometers south of Lalamusa towards Karachi will be upgraded to handle cars with a 25-ton axle load capacity. A spur from Taxila to Havelian will also be constructed, with a dry port to be established near the city of Havelian. Further, the entire length of track will have computerized signal systems, with stretches of track in urban areas to also be fenced off to prevent pedestrians and vehicles from crossing tracks in unauthorized areas. There will be fence of one side of track, so that humans and animals will not be able to cross the track.
In November 2022 the Pakistan and Chinese heads of state signed an agreement to begin work on the line with Chinese financing. The Financial Times has reported criticism that the loans are a poor choice economically, especially with the state being under financial strain; however, this has been countered that the upgrades are necessary with the risk of the railway system not functioning otherwise.
In June 2024, the upgrade work on the ML-1 will start together with the upgrade work for the Karachi Circular Railways (KCR).
Stations
The stations on this line are as follows:
- Karachi City
- D.C.O.S. Halt (Abandoned)
- Karachi Cantonment
- Chanesar Halt (Abandoned)
- Departure Yard
- Karsaz Halt
- Air Force Halt (Abandoned)
- Drigh Road Junction
- Drigh Colony Junction Halt
- Airport Halt
- Malir Colony Halt
- Malir
- Landhi
- Jummah Goth
- Bin Qasim
- Badal Nala
- Marshalling Yard Halt Pipri (Abandoned)
- Gaddar
- Dabheji
- Gharo (Abandoned)
- Ran Pethani
- Loqia Halt (Abandoned)
- Jungshahi
- Sahdero (Abandoned)
- Braudabad
- Utram (Abandoned)
- Jhimpir
- Latif Chang (Abandoned)
- Meting
- Ongar
- Bholari
- Kotri Junction
- Giddu Halt
- Latif abad
- Hyderabad Junction
- Tando Thoro
- Mirani
- Detha
- Rahuki (Abandoned)
- Khatian Road
- Allahdino Sand
- Palijani
- Wahab Shah
- Oderolal
- Tando Adam Junction
- Jalal Marri
- Shahdadpur
- Lundo
- Sarhari
- Nawaz Dahri (Abandoned)
- Nawabshah Junction
- Bucheri
- Daur
- Balochpur
- Bandhi
- Mirjat
- Kot Lalloo
- Padidan
- Bhiria Road
- Ghulamabad
- Lakha Road
- Sialabad
- Mahrabpur Junction
- Deparja
- Setharja
- Ranipur Riyasat
- Gambat
- Pir Katpar (Abandoned)
- Tando Musti Khan
- Sahu
- Khairpur
- Raina
- Begmanji
- South Block Hut
- Rohri Junction
- Mando Dairo
- Sangi
- Hingoro Road Halt
- Pano Akil
- Mahesar
- Ali Nawaz Ghoto Halt
- Ghotki
- Sarhad
- Mirpur Mathelo
- Daharki
- Kobar
- Reti
- Dhandi
- Chak Asmat Ullah Halt
- Shaheed Haider Ali
- Machi Goth
- Sadikabad
- Chandrami (Abandoned)
- Adam Sahaba
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Tarinda
- Dari Azim Khan Halt
- Kot Samaba
- Sahja
- Khanpur Junction
- Jhetha Bhutta
- Feroza
- Metla (Abandoned)
- Liaquatpur
- Tanwari (Abandoned)
- Chani Goth
- Kulab (Abandoned)
- Dera Nawab Sahib
- Tibbi Izzat (Abandoned)
- Mubarakpur
- Kalanchwala
- Samasata Junction
- Bahawalpur
- Adamwahan Bridge
- Adam Wahan
- Lodhran Junction
- Shah Nal (Abandoned)
- Mujahidabad (Abandoned)
- Gilawala
- Noori Lal Halt
- Zarif Shaheed
- Basti Dad (Abandoned)
- Shujabad
- Chak (Abandoned)
- Buch (Abandoned)
- Pir Mukhtar Wala Halt (Abandoned)
- Sher Shah Junction
- Muzaffarabad (Abandoned)
- Multan Cantonment
- Multan City (Abandoned)
- Mumtazabad Halt
- New Multan (Abandoned)
- Piran Ghaib
- Tatipur (Abandoned)
- Riazabad
- Kot Abbas Shaheed (Abandoned)
- Shamkote (Abandoned)
- Khanewal Junction
- Dera Taj (To be deleted after ML-1 Rehabilitation)
- Pirawala (Abandoned)
- Rajput Nagar
- Kacha Khuh (Abandoned)
- Waris Ali Shahaeed (Abandoned)
- Mohsinwal (Abandoned)
- Musa Virk (Abandoned)
- Mian Channun
- Sadiq Ali Shaheed
- Iqbal Nagar (Abandoned)
- Kassowal
- Kotla Adib Shaheed (Abandoned)
- Chichawatni
- Dad Fatihana (Abandoned)
- Masud Akhtar Shahid
- Harappa
- Mirdad Muafi (Abandoned)
- Sahiwal
- Nur Muhammad Mokal
- Yusafwala
- Qadirabad (Abandoned)
- Okara Cantonment
- Tabruk
- Okara
- Hazarat Karanwala
- Kissan
- Renala Khurd
- Akhtarabad (Abandoned)
- Habibabad
- Sehjowal (Abandoned)
- Pattoki
- Wan Adhan (Abandoned)
- Changa Manga
- Bhoe Asal (Abandoned)
- Kot Radha Kishn
- Prem Nagar
- Raiwind Junction
- Karyal Halt (Abandoned)
- Jia Bagga
- Halloki Halt (Abandoned)
- Kana Kacha (Abandoned)
- Green Town Halt (Abandoned)
- Kot Lakhpat
- Walton
- Lahore Cantonment
- Lahore Junction
- Badami Bagh
- Shahdara Bagh Junction
- Koh-i-Noor (Abandoned)
- Kala Shah Kaku
- Muridke
- Sadhoke
- Kamoke
- Eminabad
- Theri Sansi (Abandoned)
- Gujranwala City (Abandoned)
- Gujranwala
- Gujranwala Cantonment
- Ghakkhar Mandi
- Dhaunkal
- Nizamabad
- Wazirabad Junction
- Haripur Band
- Kathala
- Gujrat
- Deona Juliani
- Lala Musa Junction
- Lalamusa Goods
- Chak Pirana
- Kharian Cantonment
- Kharian City
- Banni Bangla
- Choa Kariala
- Sarai Alamgir
- Jhelum
- Kala Gujran
- Kaluwal
- Dina
- Ratial (Abandoned)
- Domeli (To be deleted after ML-1 Rehabilitation)
- Bakrala (To be deleted after ML-1 Rehabilitation)
- Tarki (To be deleted after ML-1 Rehabilitation)
- Sohawa
- Tandoi (Abandoned)
- Pindora (Abandoned)
- Missa Keswal (To be deleted after ML-1 Rehabilitation)
- Gujar Khan
- Ghungrila
- Mandra
- Salim Awan
- Kaliam Awan
- Mankiala
- Mughal (Abandoned)
- Sihala
- Lohi Behr (Abandoned)
- Chaklala
- Rawalpindi
- Nur Junction
- Madina-Tul-Hijjaj
- Golra Sharif Junction
- Sangjani
- Taxila Cantonment Junction
- Wah Cantonment
- Budho
- Wah
- Hasan Abdal
- Burhan
- Faqeerabad
- Sanjwal
- Sanjwal Cantonment
- Attock City Junction
- Rumian
- Attock Khurd
- Khairabad Kund
- Jhangira Road
- Akora Khattak
- Hayat Sher Pao Shaheed (Abandoned)
- Nowshera Junction
- Khushhal Kot
- Pir Piai
- Pabbi
- Taru Jabba
- Nasarpur
- Peshawar City
- Peshawar Cantonment
References
- Amer Sial (August 17, 2016). "Pak Railways poised to get massive funding from CPEC and CAREC". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
- "Expansion and reconstruction of existing Line ML-1 | China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Official Website".
- Pakistan Railways: A Performance Analysis - Citizens' Periodic Reports on the Performance of State Institutions (PDF). Islamabad: PILDAT. December 2015. p. 21. ISBN 978-969-558-589-4. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 24, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- Shahbaz Rana (30 September 2016). "China approves $8.9b for Pakistan's main rail link". The Express Tribune. Islamabad, Pakistan. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ H.M. Government “Statute Law Repeals: Nineteenth Report: Draft Statute Law (Repeals) Bill; April 2012"; pages 134–135, paragraphs 3.78-3.83 Retrieved on 2 January 2016
- ^ " Money Market and City Intelligence", "The Times", Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.
- Grace’s Guide “Scinde Railway” Retrieved on 2 January 2016
- "Money Market and City Intelligence", The Times, Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a
- Andrew, Sir William Patrick (6 June 2018). "The Punjaub Railway. A Selection from Official Correspondence Regarding the Introduction of Railways Into the Punjaub, with Map of Scinde and the Punjaub ..." W.H. Allen and Company – via Google Books.
- The Railway News and Joint-Stock Journal, Volume 13. London. 1870. p. 621.
The scheme for amalgamating the Scine Railway, the Indus Flotilla, the Punjaub Railway, and the Delhi Railway into one united undertaking, as from the 1st of July, 1870, was taken as read.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Google Books "Engines of Change: The Railroads that Made India" by Ian J. Kerr, page 84 Retrieved on 12 Jul 2016
- "Shadbolt Collection: Construction of the Indus Bridge at Kotri.”; Retrieved on 26 May 2016
- “Indian Biographical Dictionary” 1915 page 390; Retrieved on 26 Mayr 2016
- Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 479 (pdf page 442) Retrieved on 26 May 2016
- ^ Bokhari, Farhan; Parkin, Benjamin (4 January 2023). "Pakistan taps Chinese credit for railway upgrade despite debt crisis". Financial Times. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
- "Expansion and reconstruction of existing Line ML-1 | China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Official Website". cpec.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-09-26.
- "Purchase of power: payments to Chinese companies to be facilitated through revolving fund". Business Recorder. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
- ^ "China unveils rail network upgrade, gas pipeline plans for Pakistan". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- "Pakistan to get Chinese funds for upgrading rail links, building pipeline". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
The project is planned to be completed in two phases in five years by 2021. The first phase will be completed by December 2017 and the second by 2021.
- Staff Report (2021-05-08). "China reluctant to approve $6b ML-I loan". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
- "Karachi-Peshawar railway line being upgraded under CPEC". Daily Times. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "Havelian to Khunjerab railway track to be upgraded under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor". Sost Today. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- 50 billion PKR approximately US$480 million as of February 2016
- "Railway track project planned from Karachi to Peshawar". PakTribune. 13 November 2015.
- "Pakistan to get Chinese funds for upgrading rail links, building pipeline". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
Pakistan Railways currently accounts for less than 4% of the country's traffic volume, which the government intends to increase to at least 20% by 2025.
- "Doubling of Karachi-Lahore rail track completes". The Nation. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "New railway tracks planned under CPEC: report". Dawn. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- Alam, Iftikhar (19 November 2015). "China likely to invest Rs 600b to upgrade Railways track". Pakistan: The Nation. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- "Pakistan to get Chinese funds for upgrading rail links, building pipeline". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
The major work will involve upgrading 1,598 km of double and single track and overhauling 930 km of double line. The project also includes the construction of a 676-km new track from Lalamusa to Peshawar, the construction of tunnels, bridges, culverts, allied structures, and facilities for 25-ton axle load capacity.
- "KP governor terms CPEC game-changer for Hazara". The News Pakistan. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "Karachi-Peshawar railway track to be upgraded under CPEC". Daily Times. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "ML-1, KCR upgrade projects to starts in March". The International News. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
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