Feasibility contract awarded: Rail link with ChinaISLAMABAD, Feb 19:

The government on Monday awarded contract to an international consortium to carry out feasibility study for establishing a rail link with China which will boost bilateral trade relations, promote tourism and generate employment opportunities particularly in the Northern Areas.


The Ingenieurgemeinschaft Lasser-Feizlmayr (ILF), a consortium of consultant engineers from Austria, Germany and Pakistan is to submit its report to the ministry of railways in nine months.

The Rs72 million contract was signed by Asad Rauf, general manager (operations) Pakistan Railways, and Aneesur Rehman, ILF managing director on behalf of their respective sides.

The feasibility study will cover a length of 750 kilometres between Havellian and the 4,730 metres high Khunjerab crossing over Mansehra and the Karakoram Highway.

Havellian is already linked with the rest of the rail network, while the Chinese railways will lay track within its territory up to Khunjerab linking Pakistan with its rail network. It is most likely that the distance between Havellian and Khunjerab would involve construction of tunnels.

The ILF services encompass both the construction of new high-speed railway lines and the modernisation of existing lines for standard gauge and narrow gauge railways in addition to tunnels.—A Reporter



http://www.dawn.com/2007/02/20/nat6.htm

It would be fantastic for trade if this haoppened. also imagine th scenary along the way to China via this route! It would be a magnificent journey, one i would love to take.


http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/02/20/top8.htm


Deal on Pre-feasibility Study of Pakistan-China rail link Signed


By Sheeraz Aslam 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways on Monday signed a pre-feasibility study project for new rail link from Havelian to Khunjrab with a German and Austrian firm (ILF Consulting Engineers).

Report says that M/s ILF Consulting Engineers quoted the lowest rates of Rs 72.50 million for the project in the tender, which was participated by three other firms.

This project would be jointly carried out by Chinese firm M/s Dongfang, which was the second lowest in the bid.

Pakistan Railways had asked the firm to bring lower their offer, matching with the lowest, so that the project could be jointly awarded.

The firm, accordingly reduced their bid and an agreement to this effect was already signed in Lahore between Pakistan Railways and the firm.

The agreement with the ILF Consulting Engineers was signed by General Manager Operations Assad Saeed.

Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was also there to witness the signing of the agreement.

The pre-feasibility study of the route is stretch over a length of 750km.

The project would be completed within nine months.

Minister for Railways speaking on the occasion said, Pakistan Railways is making all out efforts to make the country a regional transit hub and integrate it into the regional rail network up to the neighbouring countries.

Since the railways link with India and Iran already exists, while feasibility study for rail link from Chaman to Kandhar (Afghanistan) has already been completed.●

We must add a R&D report for Laying a OIL Pipe Line with this rail road route. China has spent billions of $$ in feasibilities to get oil from Central Asia. Imagine Iran Pak China Gas line and more.