The Railways Ministry was considering two proposals to establish new rail links between Gwadar and other parts of the country in connection with China-Pak Economic Corridor.
One proposal for linking Gwadar with Karachi along Makran Coastal Highway is 700 km and second proposal aims linking Gwadar with Jacobabad via Turbat, Punjgur, Besima and Khuzdar is 1,048 km, an official of Pakistan Railways said.
A PC-II amounting to Rs 135.500 million for carrying out feasibility studies of the above mentioned proposed links has been approved by planning commission for which funding would be provided in fiscal year 2014-15.
The official said that actual ground work would commence after completion of the feasibility study.
The project could be completed by 2017-18 provided the financial and economic viability of the scheme is established and availability of requisite funds is ensured as determined in the feasibility study, he added.
He said the proposals are also a part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework.