ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Railways (PR) is planning to construct a 105 kilometre track that will link Thar Coal mines with the Port Qasim.
A railways official told state broadcaster that the department has already awarded the contract which is schedule to complete by October 2025.
He said the project aims at facilitating local coal transportation across the country, adding that it would also boost the economic growth.
The official said the project is a joint venture by the federal and Sindh governments. The new rail link from Islamkot to Chhor will facilitate in coal transportation across the country, supporting key industries like cement and textiles by providing a more cost-effective fuel alternative, APP reported.
“The construction will include a 24.58-kilometer loop-line and an 18-kilometer double line track extending from Bin Qasim railway station to Port Qasim, with additional 4.20 kilometers of loop-lines designed to handle significant freight volumes,” the official said.
After the completion of the project, he said, “The rail network is expected to have the capacity to transport 10 million tons of coal annually, shifting the country’s power generation reliance from imported to domestic coal sources.”
