Railways to invite bids for $6.8bn ML-1 CPEC project from Sept 12

LAHORE: The bidding process to allot the tender for the country’s first and biggest transport sector project- Main Line-1 (ML-1) is set to be conducted by Pakistan Railways (PR) from September 12.

The project titled ‘Up-gradation of ML-1’ worth $6.8 billion will be completed in three separate packages —Nawabshah to Rohri / Sukkar, Multan to Lahore & Walton Academy and Lahore to Lalamusa & Kaluwal to Pindora sections.

The ML-1 project will be completed under EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) mode after the railways’ ministry finalizes the bids received from eligible Chinese firms.

The signed agreement framework between the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, allows only Chinese companies/consortia to participate in the bidding process.

The federal government announced to cover 10% of the total cost, whereas the rest of the funding will be provided by China, under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The PR is responsible for the acquisition of the land required between Lalamusa — Pindora section. This will realign the route (realignment), reducing 20km of travel distance.

Under the project, a new track will be laid, allowing 160km/per hour speeds for railways, rehabilitation and construction of bridges, provision of modern signalling and telecom systems, replacing level crossings with underpasses/flyovers, fencing of the track, the establishment of the dry port near Havelian and upgrade of Walton Training Academy (Lahore).

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