Karachi–Peshawar Line
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 begins from Karachi City station or Kiamari station and ends at Peshawar Cantonment Station. The total length of this railway line is 1,687 kilometers (1,048 mi). There are 176 railway stations from Kiamari to Peshawar Cantonment on this line. The line serves as the main passenger and freight line of the country. 75% of the country's cargo and passenger traffic uses the line. The line is currently undergoing a six-year Rs. 1286.68 billion (US$4.5 billion) upgrade and renovation as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, with average rail speeds expected be doubled to 160 kilometers per hour upon completion.[4]
History
The present-day Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line was built as a patchwork of different railways during the British Raj in India 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.[5][6] Work on the line had commenced in April 1858 and was the first railway line for public use in the region.[7] Following the completion of the line, the Indus Steam Flotilla began docking in Kotri (instead of Karachi) from Multan.[8] 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.[5][6][9] Thus the travel time between Sindh and Punjab was greatly reduced together with the Scinde Railway, Indus Steam Flotilla and Punjab Railways; what normally took 40 days to travel between Karachi and Lahore now took 48 hours to transport passengers and cargo.
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 in order to increase efficiency of passenger and cargo transport between Sindh and Punjab.[10] 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 on wards 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.[11] 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.[12][13][14] In 1885, all the companies were merged to form the North Western State Railway.
ML-1 upgrade
Since 2015 there has been a plan to expand and reconstruct the ML-1 main line, funded by Chinese loans, as part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.[15] The plan involves doubling the track from Karachi to Peshawar, providing grade separation, as well as communications-based train control.[16]
The first phase is expected to cost of US$3.65 billion.[17] 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.[18]
The first phase was expected to be completed by December 2017,[19] with the second phase expected to be completed in 2021.[18] The project has been delayed for years, with reports in January 2022 suggesting that there was o funding plan in place and China also reluctant to provide capital.[20] As of 2023 the upgrade project has not been initiated.[15]
Upgrading of the railway line will permit train travel at speeds of 160 kilometres per hour, versus the average 60 to 105 km per hour speed currently possible on existing track,[21] and is expected to increase Pakistan Railways' annual revenues by approximately $480 million.[22][23] The upgrades are also expected to cut transit times from Karachi to Peshawar by half.[24] 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.[25]
Upgrade plan
At the time of CPEC's announcement, the ML-1 consisted of mostly dual track railway between Karachi, and the Lahore suburb of Shahdara, with long stretches of single track. From Shahdara, the track mainly consisted of a single track until the city Peshawar. Construction works to dualize the entire track between Karachi to Shahdara were completed and inaugurated in January 2016.[26] 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.[27]
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.[28]
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.[29] A spur from Taxila to Havelian will also be constructed, with a dry port to be established near the city of Havelian.[30] Further, the entire length of track will have computerised signal systems, with stretches of track in urban areas to also be fenced off to prevent pedestrians and vehicles from crossing tracks in unauthorised areas.[31]
In November 2022 the Pakistan and Chinese heads of state signed an agreement to being work on the line with Chinese financing.[15] 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.[15]
In March 2023, the upgrade work on the ML-1 will start together with the upgrade work for the Karachi Circular Railways (KRC).[32]
Stations
The stations on this line are as follows:
- Kiamari
- Karachi City
- Hump Yard (Abandoned)
- Karachi Cantonment
- Chaneesar Halt (Abandoned)
- Departure Yard
- Drigh Road
- Drigh Colony Halt
- Airport Halt
- Malir Colony Halt
- Malir
- Landhi Junction
- Jummah Goth
- Bin Qasim
- Badal Nala
- Gaddar
- Marshalling Yard Pipri
- Dabheji
- Gharo (Abandoned)
- Ran Pethani
- Loqia Halt (Abandoned)
- Jungshahi
- Sahdero (Abandoned)
- Braudabad
- Utram (Abandoned)
- Jhimpir
- Latif Chang (Abandoned)
- Meting
- Bholari
- Kotri Junction
- Hyderabad Junction
- Nawaz Dahri (Abandoned)
- Detha
- Allahdino Sand
- Palijani
- Wahab Shah
- Oderolal
- Tando Adam Junction
- Jalal Marri
- Shahdadpur
- Lundo
- Sarhari
- Nawabshah Junction
- Bucheri
- Daur
- Bandhi
- Kot Lalloo
- Pad Idan Junction
- Bhiria Road
- Lakha Road
- Mahrabpur Junction
- Setharja
- Ranipur Riyasat
- Gambat
- Pir Katpar
- Tando Mustikhan
- Khairpur
- Begmanji
- Rohri Junction
- Mando Dairo
- Sangi
- Pano Akil
- Mahesar
- Ghotki
- Sarhad
- Mirpur Mathelo
- Daharki
- Reti
- Walhar
- Machi Goth
- Sadiqabad
- Chandrami (Abandoned)
- Adam Sahaba
- Rahim Yar Khan
- Tarinda
- Kotsamaba
- Sahja
- Khanpur Junction
- Jhetha Bhutta
- Firoza
- Metla (Abandoned)
- Liaquatpur
- Tanwari (Abandoned)
- Chani Goth
- Kulab
- Dera Nawab Sahib
- Tibbi Izzat (Abandoned)
- Mubarakpur
- Kalanchwala
- Samasata Junction
- Bahawalpur
- Adam Wahan
- Lodhran Junction
- Shah Nal
- Mujahidabad (Abandoned)
- Gilawala
- Noori Halt (Abandoned)
- 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)
- New Multan (Abandoned)
- Piran Ghaib
- Tatipur (Abandoned)
- Riazabad
- Kot Abbas Shaheed (Abandoned)
- Shamkote (Abandoned)
- Khanewal Junction
- Dera Taj
- Pirawala (Abandoned)
- Rajput Nagar
- Kacha Khuh (Abandoned)
- Waris Ali Shahaeed (Abandoned)
- Mohsinwal (Abandoned)
- Musa Virk (Abandoned)
- Mian Channun
- Iqbal Nagar (Abandoned)
- Kassowal
- Kotla Adib Shaheed (Abandoned)
- Chichawatni
- Dad Fatihana (Abandoned)
- Harappa
- Sahiwal
- Yusafwala
- Qadirabad (Abandoned)
- Okara Cantonment
- Okara
- Kissan
- Renala Khurd
- Akhtarabad (Abandoned)
- Habibabad
- Sehjowal (Abandoned)
- Pattoki
- Wan Adhan (Abandoned)
- Changa Manga
- Bhoe Asal (Abandoned)
- Kot Radha Kishn
- Prem Nagar
- Raiwind Junction
- 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
- Gujranwala City (Abandoned)
- Gujranwala
- Gujranwala Cantonment
- Theri Sansi (Abandoned)
- Ghakkhar Mandi
- Dhaunkal
- Wazirabad Junction
- Haripur Band
- Gujrat
- Deona Juliani
- Lala Musa Junction
- Chak Pirana
- Kharian Cantonment
- Kharian
- Choa Kariala
- Sarai Alamgir
- Jhelum
- Kala Gujran
- Kaluwal
- Dina
- Ratial (Abandoned)
- Bakrala
- Tarki
- Sohawa
- Missa Keswal
- Gujar Khan
- Ghungrila
- Mandra Junction railway station
- 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
- Faqirabad
- Sanjwal
- Attock City Junction
- Rumian
- Attock Khurd
- Khairabad Kund
- Jhangira Road
- Akora Khattak
- Hayat Sher Pao Shahid
- Nowshera Junction
- Khushhal
- Pir Piai
- Pabbi
- Taru Jabba
- Nasarpur
- Peshawar City
- Peshawar Cantonment
References
- ^ Amer Sial (August 17, 2016). . 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".
- ^ (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.
- ^ a b 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
- ^ a b "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 Maqy 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
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b "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 construction of a 676-km new track from Lalamusa to Peshawar, construction of tunnels, bridges and culverts along with allied structures and facilities for 25-ton axle load capacity are also part of the project.
- ^ "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 start in March". The International News. Retrieved 2 April 2023.