The Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project has been sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.
The Rs273.1 billion project envisages 43 kilometer dual track Urban Rail Mass Transit System will be constructed in a period of three years on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis. This much needed urban transport project will provide reliable, safe and eco-friendly public transport to the residents of metropolitan city of Karachi. The government estimates that once completed the project will serve more than 457,000 passengers every day which will rise to 1 million per day by the end of 33 year concession period.
As per the route alignment, the KCR commences from the existing Karachi city station, moves along the main line of PR to Drigh Road Station. It further goes across Shahrah-e- Faisal and enters into Gulistan-e-Johar, and Gulshan-e- Iqbal. Furthermore, it passes through the older residential areas of North Nazimabad, Nazimabad leading to SITE area, and further to the Port, before reaching back to the Karachi city station. 30 stations would be constructed along the route to provide the most benefit to the most densely populated localities.
The project is a part of overall scheme for improvement of transport infrastructure including road network, provision of Public Transport- Mass Transit facilities and traffic management in Karachi.
