KP, Centre sign pact to revive rail network

CM Afridi vows to restore, expand KP rail network DLP Report PESHAWAR The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the federal Ministry of Railways on Tuesday signed a framework agreement to restore, expand and modernise the railway network in the province, with the Nowshera-Jehangira route to be taken up on a priority basis. The agreement was signed at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, said a statement issued here. According to the statement, under the agreement, the federal ministry will facilitate the use of existing railway infrastructure in the province and provide technical support, while railway projects will be implemented in phases. The provincial government will provide administrative support for new railway projects initiated by the federal government. The provincial government has allocated Rs500 million in the current year's Annual Development Programme for the restoration and rehabilitation of historic railway stations. Existing federal railway facilities will also be utilised for a proposed suburban railway service. According to a briefing at the ceremony, the consultancy contract for preparing a feasibility study for the Nowshera-Jehangira railway route is expected to be awarded by Aug 30. The Nowshera-Mardan-Dargai railway link will also be developed in phases. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afridi said the agreement would help restore, expand and modernise the railway system in the province. He said the Greater Peshawar Circular Railway would connect Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan and Charsadda, while subsequent phases of the Peshawar Valley Railway would extend the network to Dargai. Future phases, he added, would provide rail connectivity from Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar to Torkham. The chief minister said improved rail connectivity would provide affordable and efficient transport to millions of passengers, students, workers and traders, besides promoting trade, tourism, employment and regional connectivity. He said railway development was an area requiring cooperation between the federal and provincial governments and expressed hope that the agreement would help fast-track projects in the province. Mr Abbasi appreciated the provincial government's cooperation and said stronger coordination between the two governments would improve public services and accelerate development. He described the agreement as a unique initiative aimed at producing sustainable, long-term outcomes. The federal minister said Pakistan Railways connected all provinces and that public welfare transcended administrative boundaries. He assured the provincial government of full cooperation in implementing the agreement and expediting the proposed projects. Mr Afridi also stressed the need to strengthen national institutions, saying improving their performance required greater attention, effort and effective institutional strategies. He said railways remained an affordable and efficient means of transport and its development should be treated as a shared priority. Referring to the provincial government's development plans, he said work was also underway on Peshawar's Outer Ring Road to help address traffic congestion. He expressed hope that the current fiscal year would bring peace, development and prosperity to the province.