Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) is a revival and proposed Mass Rapid Transit System for Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan with aims to connect several industrial and commercial districts within the city and outlying suburbs.
| Karachi Circular Railway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Locale | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 3 |
| Number of stations | 62 |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | In planning |
| Technical | |
| System length | 121 km (14 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1676 |
| Karachi Circular Railway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Locale | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Transit type | Rapid transit |
| Number of lines | 4 |
| Number of stations | 60 |
| Daily ridership | 640,000 per day |
| Operation | |
| Operator(s) | Lahore Transport Company |
| Technical | |
| System length | 152 km (94.45 mi) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
History
The Karachi Circular Railway began operation in 1969 through Pakistan Railways with the aim of providing better transportation facilities to Karachi and the surrounding suburbs. The original KCR line extended from Drigh Road Station and ended at Karachi City Station. The KCR was in instant success and made a significant profit in its first year of operation.[1] During the 1970s and 1980s the KCR was at its peak with 104 daily trains, of which 90 trains on ran on the main track while the remaining 14 ran on the loop line. During the 1990s, the "transport mafia" contracted KCR staff who became indulged in corruption. By 1994 the KCR was in incurring major losses and as a result the vast majority of trains were discontinued with only a few running on the Loop. In 1999 KCR operations were discontinued. The result was instant gridlock on Karachi streets. In 2005, revival plans for the railway were initiated to fulfil the growing transportation needs of Karachi. The City District Government Karachi was already making plans for a revival and construction of a combined "Karachi Metro".[2]
Karachi Urban Transport Corporation
In May 2008, a semi-autonomous entity, the Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC), was incorporated to execute the project. Work on the project is scheduled to start in 2010 and will be completed by 2014. Following revival, the KCR will serve about 700,000 passengers per day. Pakistan Railways will hold a 60% share in the corporation, while the Sindh government and the City District Government of Karachi will retain 25% and 15% stakes respectively in the KCR.
Construction
Phase 1
Phase 1 of the project will include a 28km Loop from Karachi Cantt to a proposed station at Gulistan-e-Johar. About 9km of this section will be elevated.
Phase 2
Phase 2 will consist of the 15km circular section from Gulistan-e-Johar to the proposed station at Liaquatabad. This section will have two dedicated tracks along the main line. This phase will also includes a 5.9km airport line from Drigh Road to Jinnah Airport.
See also.
External links.
- Karachi Circular Railway System Approved by Federal Government September 4, 2009 : Article by Moid Ansari
- Karachi Circular Railway System to be revived by 2011 - APP
- KUTS come to exietence after its registration with SEC - APP
- Mass transit conundrum
- Revival of Karachi Circular Railway: ANALYSIS
- Pakistan Railway Discussion Group at Yahoo Pakistan Railway Discussion Group at Yahoo]
- A Web Site about KCR by Adnan Zafar
- KCR projected on Google Maps
