Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
A legislative body of upper house of parliament on Wednesday recommended the government to complete the railway track from Gwadar Port to the Railway Container Yard as the project related to backbone of the economy.
In this regard the senators directed to form a committee comprising of relevant stakholders and resolve the issue of land acquisition within 15 days and submit the report. These directions were issued during a meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, which was held at Parliament House with Senator Rubina Khalid in Chair.
The Senate Committee deliberated on the acquisition of the remaining land for the railway track from Gwadar Port to the Railway Container Yard. The said project was approved by ECNEC in 2007. Officials apprised that the railways have yet to acquire approximately 340 acres of land required for the project.
The ministry is in negotiations with the District Administration, Gwadar Development Authority and Gwadar Port Authority for the acquisition of the remaining land. Railway officials highlighted the issue of 5 acres of railway land that overlapped during the construction of the Eastbay Expressway.
Senator Rubina Khalid stated that the railway track is the backbone of the Gwadar project and should be completed at the earliest. The committee recommended the ministry to form a committee comprising of relevant stakeholders and resolve the issue within 15 days.
