Groundbreaking of ML-1 project likely during FY21.

ISLAMABAD -- After approval of the historic railway project for up-gradation of main line (ML-1) from Karachi to Peshawar by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), the government is expecting that groundbreaking of the project would be held by February-March 2021.

According to budgetary documents, the concessional financing agreement for landmark ML-1 project (estimated cost US$7.2 billion) is expected to be finalized in 2020, and subsequently, arrangement will be made for physical work to start.

The strategic project of ML-1 has been planned in the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The implementation period of the project is 9 years and will be executed in three phases. The project which aims at upgrading and dualizing the rail track from Peshawar to Karachi (1872 km) has a potential to create 174,000 direct jobs.

So far remarkable progress has been achieved on ML-1 project as. financing committee from both...