No plan to repair KCR, as yet

Notwithstanding rhetoric, meetings, and government statements, there is no solid plan to repair the abandoned track of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), which has the potential to absorb 40 percent of the commuter load of the Karachi megapolis.

There should be no reason why this vital project remains in limbo: its land is available, and its track, railway stations and other infrastructure are already in place, though in need of repair.

Repairing the project would not require any foreign loans or expertise as Pakistan Railways’ engineers and workers are fully capable of repairing the track within two months -or even less, if the work is resumed in three shifts. Federal, provincial and city governments are there to fund the project and local banks could be approached for additional funding. The public transport in Karachi is a lucrative and profitable sector: more than six people have to vie for one public transport seat in this overcrowded city.

The issue is a lack of clear priorities, as both the Pakistan Railways and the Sindh government are not comfortable with the resumption of the KCR. One of the reasons for this is that an efficient commuting system in Karachi would help in the rapid urbanization of the city, and this seems to scare the stereotypical political parties who have a stake in the city. They are comfortable with slums, overcrowded minibuses and lack of facilities because these are conditions of a semi-tribal/feudal system, in which these parties function efficiently, and easily get votes. However, a sophisticated and modern urban society where votes are cast on the basis of performance, and not hollow rhetoric, would be another thing entirely.

The political stakeholders are not ready to give the city a modern commuting system, especially a rail-based one, as they know it is an agent of change for rapid development and true urbanization.

Another factor is the resistance of the elements that do not want to see the national economy flourishing. There is a close relation between urban public transport and an efficient economy. The study of the economy of any modern mega city would show that its journey of progress began with huge investments in urban public transport systems.

These are the reasons why the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and other likeminded bodies are staunch supporters of the project to repair KCR, but the political parties with their vested interests are not ready for this. However, it is believed that with a functioning KCR and the introduction of rapid bus transit system, Karachi would suddenly join the ranks of modern cities, ditching its present status of huge slum center with a few pockets of urban localities.

Recently, in a meeting in Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, said he would contact the federal government to get the KCR included in the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is a welcome development. However, the KCR repair is not a complicated matter and Pakistan Railways could easily do it without involving the Chinese. If the CM really wants an urban commuting project for Karachi included in the CPEC, he could talk about a tube or underground rail system for Karachi

Ultimately, it is up to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take the initiative and order Pakistan Railways to own the KCR, and start work on its urgent repair and running.