Reality approaches destination dream

Reality approaches destination dream

HT Correspondent

A distant dream seems inching closer to reality. Pakistani Minister of State for Railways, Ishaq Khan Khakwani said that their government has a provision of around Rs 150 crores for developing the Khokhrapar - Monabao rail tracks on the Pakistani side, adding that arrangements would be ready in a few months. He was in Jaipur on Wednesday.

“Pakistan railways is also making arrangements for restoring stations, coaches and facilities required for formally opening the rail link within the next six months,” he said. Speaking to mediapersons here in Jaipur, he said that the budgetary allocation is likely to be provided in the Pakistani budget to be tabled in May this year. He added that the government is on its way studying the links in detail - including basic requirements like water and electricity.

Pakistan’s premier newspaper, The Daily star also quoted Khakwani as saying: “It is our principled decision to get it opened as early as possible and we are on right path to get the task accomplished."

He said that so far, there is no immediate plan to convert the present metre gauge track on the Pakistani side. “Khokrapar still has almost 120 kilometres of stretch on the Metre Gauge. Conversion into broad gauge would require more time and money,” he said. He also pressed upon the feasibility of the any conversion that may take place, adding that the present section had very less passenger frequency ever since tracks were uprooted almost 40 years ago.

At the Indian side, the tracks have already been converted to broad gauge in April 2004 – connecting the last Indian station of Munabao to the rest of the Indian rail network, which is mostly on the big line. Locals and the Indian Army are using the track at present.

Khakwani expressed interest in the link adding that it’ll be a historic development. “ It will be a big event and would be generously popularised,” he said. After the 1965 war with Pakistan, the rail link was uprooted on both the sides.

Khakwani added that the rail link would be very important for trade. “It will open a new avenue for trade between the two countries. Trade with Iran and Afghanistan shall also benefit,” he said. He however added that the entire initiative would have “no relevance” if the visa norms were not relaxed.

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