Infrastructure and Transport News

[Neo]

Q: How come these beach loving westerners don't visit the Pakistani south? Marvelous beaches' and coastline. Taliban and insurgents live far to the north. I wonder.....

Lack of alcohol and western standards entertainment facilities.

Read this article by Angela Williams. I've met her on two occaissions, she's written a lot about Pakistan. Her opinion matters to me:

https://defence.pk/forums/showpost.php?p=53531&postcount=28

 

[Neo]

Railways improves 5993 kms rail track in five years

ISLAMABAD (March 11 2007): The Pakistan Railways has improved 5993 kilometres railways tracks in addition to 7717 kms. old age sleepers in the past five years, the NA standing committee on Railways was informed on Saturday. Sardar Tufail Ahmad Khan, the standing committee chairman, presided over the meeting held in the Parliament House on Saturday.

The meeting also discussed the recurring number of train accidents and derailment in the past resulting in loss of many lives in the past. In that regard, the Railways chief engineer, Irfan Gohar, said passenger safety was cared for, and efforts are continuing to improve railway tracks and sleepers. Old tracks that receive constant rolling and delay in maintenance work were one of the causes of derailment..

That notwithstanding, instances of 55993 kms improved track, and refurbished sleepers were cited as an example of improvement underway. In addition, Javed Qureshi, Secretary of the Railway Board outlined the procurement policy of his organisation.

The meeting also discussed the alleged loss of property documents relating to Railway Golf Club, and this matter annoyed Sardar Tufail Ahmad, the committee chairman, who urged strong action against those responsible for the loss of the documents. The meeting offered Fateha for 50 or more Pakistanis who had lost their lives in the Samjhota Express accident, near Panipat, India, early this month.

In another standing committee meeting, that of water and power sector, it was noted that 80 percent of Parliamentarians' electrification schemes have been completed in Multan, while the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company had completed 4203 (out of 4709) within five years (2002-2007).

Wapda Chairman spoke about the progress of recovery in the outstanding dues. Committee Chairman, Ghulam Murata Mailto, MNA, presided over the water and power committee meeting. It may be mentioned here that among more than 70 Standing Committees in the Senate and the National Assembly many are busy assessing the true worth of their respective Ministries before the presentation of the budget. Last month, Speaker National Assembly and the Chair of Standing Committees agreed to strengthen the Parliament through strong committee work.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=537238&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Neo]

Underpass at Wireless Railway Gate planned

KARACHI (March 11 2007): City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is planing to construct an underpass at Wireless Railway Gate to facilitate the general public in the area.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that CDGK would build an underpass at the Wireless Railway Gate with a view to scale down difficulties being faced by the residents of area and general public due to a high volume of train traffic passing through the densely populated area.

Addressing the foundation stone-lying ceremony of the dialysis center at Shamsi Hospital in Malir town on Saturday, he said the CDGK had developed the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases to facilitate the general public.

On this occasion, MNA Iqbal Muhammad Ali, MPA Abbas Jafri, Nishat Zia, Town Nazim Shah Faisal Town Muhammad Imran, UC nazims, President Foundation Siddiq Solijah and other office-bearers.

In order to cleanse the city from viral epidemics, the city government had adopted a long-term policy to ensure a healthy environment in the metropolis, Kamal added.

He said that CDGK had allocated a huge chunk of funds to healthcare sector to provide each citizen with basic health facilities free of cost at CDGK's healthcare institutions.

He said that CDGK was intending to take necessary preventive measures and in this connection it had undertaken an extensive fumigation spray drive in all 18 towns throughout whole year.

He said that provision of healthcare facility to each citizen was the primary objective of the present local government and it was making efforts to make it possible within available resources.

He said that prior to summer rains, CDGK had now onwards started cleaning storm water drains to avert any flood like situation due to choked drains amid rains, besides eliminating insects breeding in them.

The city nazim apprised that insecticides in a huge quantity had been procured to continue fumigation drive without any interruption in the city. He pointed out that 66 identified drains in the city have been cleared to allow the smooth flow of drain water, in addition insecticides had also been sprayed in them with the help of 650 malaria and other sanitary staff. About 30 vehicles were used for this purpose, he added.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=537265&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Janbaz]

New aircrafts to be added in Pakistan's fleet

R M Saqib
KARACHI - Pakistani air companies have decided to expand the fleet by purchasing 30 to 40 new aircrafts, said in Pakistan National Aviation Symposium organized by Air blue held at a local hotel here on Monday.
The participants of the symposium said that Pakistan had an immense potential to boost its aviation industry. The need is to grab this opportunity in this field by increasing the standard and customer services quality.
PIA SVP Sales Kamran Hassan said that there were about 12 million passengers for Pakistani airlines including 5 million domestic and 7 million international passengers. On the other hand, he was of the view that Pakistani airlines including PIA, Aero Asia and Air blue have a total fleet of just 55 aircrafts which is less than they need while India have 240, China 650 and United States have more than 6000 aircrafts. He added that this fleet would be increase to 100 aircrafts by getting more planes on lease and purchase. He pointed out that Pakistani airlines had a good share of international market, which can easily be augmented. “PIA has acquired ATR-42 airplanes and is also planning to increase its B-777 fleet to 12 while replacing B-737 airplanes”, he added. He also said that PIA, the only public airline of the country, would also use Visit Pakistan-2007 year to boost tourism in the country. He revealed that airline was also planning to resume flights for Shanghai, China soon. He also expected the increment of 5 percent per annum cargo traffic in coming five years.
Director Commercial Air blue Syed Nasir Ali said that Pakistan with its unique geographic and demographic conditions and being first to liberalize aviation industry in the region had strength in this sector to grow more emphatically.
He pointed out that out of 55 aircrafts altogether, Pakistan had just 20 new generation aircrafts while the older ones were more fuel consumers thus more expensive. He mentioned that for more sustainable growth in this sector, 30 to 40 wide body aircrafts would be added beside 60 to 80 Single-Aisles aircrafts to cater the expected 20 millions passenger market in coming future.
Air blue Chief Operating Officer (COO) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the symposium was first of its kind in Pakistan and was aimed to introduce new ideas and bring innovativeness in the Aviation Industry of Pakistan. He added that the aviation industry was witnessing positive prospects and was vibrant one.
Shahid Khaqan said that Air blue was expanding its network to Europe and Middle East and it was expected that the airline would maintain 40 to 50 percent growth rate per annum.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director Traffic Tahir Ahsan Malik said that the liberalization of the aviation sector combined with the arrival of new air companies in Pakistan would improve the competition in market and it would not impact the share of already existed national airlines in negative aspect.
He maintained that most of the Pakistani airlines were mainly stuck to the Middle East destinations and they must have to extend their business by adding the destinations of Europe, North America and Far East as there was vast capacity available there.

The Nation.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/13/bnews9.php

 

[Neo]

Shaheen inducts new aircraft

KARACHI: Shaheen Air International has purchased fifth Boeing 737 aircraft, which arrived at the Karachi Airport on Tuesday, said a press release issued here. A spokesman for the airline said Shaheen Air has purchased the fifth B-737 aircraft with 120-passenger seat capacity from an American company. With the induction of fifth aircraft, the airline is aiming to expand its existing operations within Pakistan and Gulf and also intends to bridge smaller cities with major cities across the country. He said with the acquisition of new aircraft the airline is initially expecting 130 flights per week, throughout its domestic and international network.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=46718

 

[Neo]

Airblue to offer 25 percent shares to public next year

KARACHI (March 14 2007): 'Airblue' airline will launch 25 percent shares for initial public offering by next year, said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Operating Officer of the airline. Talking to newsmen at a lunch hosted by Yahya Polani, CEO, Polani Travel, and Rafiqe Bukhari, CEO, Bukhari Travel.

He said that 'Airblue' was planning to issue IPO, for general public, with a view to financially strengthen the airline. He said that during last three years, Airblue sales were around Rs 3 billion.

Earlier, addressing the travel agents, he said that Airblue has been providing quality services, in line with international standers, both on ground and in the sky. "Airblue is a 100 percent Pakistani airline, and functions with the help of local staff, including pilots," he added.

He said that Airblue's first flight to Manchester from Islamabad would be on June 1, and added that "initially, we will operate four flights weekly, and later it will be extended to seven flights a week".

He said that Airblue's annual growth rate was around 80 percent, improved during the last three year. However, this increasing growth was likely to decline in future by 30 percent to 40 percent, particularly during next year.

He said that despite all difficulties, Pakistan's air travel industry was growing on fast track and, as per Iata forecast, the industry's growth rate would be around 7.4 percent. Nasir Ali, Director, Marketing, Airblue, said that travel agents "are the backbone of the industry" and they had played a vital role in the success of Airblue.

He said that Airblue had started operations three years back, which has become the fastest growing airline of Pakistan. "Airblue introduced online booking facility and discount system for the first time in Pakistan to facilitate the passengers," he added.Yahya Polani, Rafiqe Bukhari, Haji Masood, Jameel Sakrani and Sufvan Polani also addressed the gathering.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=538104&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Neo]

Rs 600 million allocated for construction of roads: Kamal

KARACHI (March 18 2007): Karachi City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has announced to undertake construction of roads at a cost of Rs 600 million, soon after completion of the water and sewerage projects currently being executed in the metropolis.

He said that the incumbent City District Government of Karachi (CDGK) had taken up the water crisis issue seriously and initiated several water and sewerage projects. He said that laying new water pipelines at estimated cost of Rs 60 million and reconstruction of roads with Rs 600 million was in full swing in the city.

Talking to newsmen after inauguration of the water and sewerage projects on Friday, he said that the CDGK would resolve all outstanding water and sewerage issues faced by the residents of Gulistan-e-Johar by the end of current year.

On this occasion, additional vice-chairman and MPA Imamuddin Shahzad, Gulshan Town Nazim Wasay Jalil, UC nazims and naib nazims besides scores of area residents were also present.

The City Nazim observed that Karachiites were facing water problems for the last 30 years. He expressed hope that these would be resolved on priority basis. "Development of civic infrastructure is CDGK's prime policy," he added.

At present, laying of water and sewerage lines is underway. These include the sewerage pipelines of 8-in, 12-in, 15-in, 18-in and 24-inch diameters," he added. These different diameter lines are being laid from Pehalwan Goth to Sumam Shopping Centre and Johar Bridge to Johar Chowrangi.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=539734&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Neo]

'Work on KCR to start soon': Japanese firm to invest $800 million

KARACH (March 20 2007): Karachi City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has said that the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) system would be initiated through a Japanese firm's $800 million investment, and the project would be completed in two-and-a-half years.

He said that the proposed project had been in doldrums for past several years, but now it would be completed well before its stipulated completion span of 8 years, and would be initiated soon.

He said this in a meeting on Sunday at his secretariat with Shane Rosenthal, Urban Economist of Asian Development Bank regarding Karachi Circular Railway development. On this occasion, Karachi DCO Fazlur Rehman, Coordinator Karachi Mega City Development Projects Roshan Ali Shaikh, and head of consultant team Jim Arthur were also present.

Kamal said that the plan for development of Karachi Circular Railway system had been finalised in consultation with the federal government. He said that several important civic projects could not be undertaken by the incumbent CDGK due to lack of funds. "However, all such projects remained uninitiated for funds unavailability to be incorporated in the Asian Development Bank's Karachi Mega City Development Project (KMCDP) to resolve the public problems," he added.

He said that CDGK was also planning to construct expressway on Malir River to provide the citizens with many travelling corridors in the city.

He said that a treatment plant at Gujjar nulla would also be set up, and added that a road would also be constructed at the nulla to scale down the increasing vehicular traffic congestion in the area.

The Nazim said that to meet the increasing electricity demand in the city, the CDGK was signing MoUs with private firms to overcome the power generation crisis.

"Around 800 CNG buses will be introduced to minimise the pollution in the city and to facilitate the commuters," he said. Rosenthal said that the first instalment of ADB's fund for KMCDP would be released soon so that CDGK could initiate the uplift projects.

http://brecorder.com/index.php?id=540827&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Neo]

First phase construction of fly-over approved

RAWALPINDI (March 20 2007): The Punjab government has approved first phase of the fly-over construction from Mall road to Chandni Chowk fly-over, Murree road, said Brigadier Pervaiz Mehmmood Khan (retd), Director General, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on Monday.

In second phase, he said, the fly-over would be connected to Nullah Leh Expressway at different points wherever it would be feasible, he said while talking to newsmen.

He said the RDA had prepared PC-II of the elevated fly-over project. These two mega projects of Nullah Leh Expressway and fly-over would form an internal loop of routes around the city that would end traffic problems, he said.

He said the government has earmarked Rs 25 million for feasibility study and detailed designing of the fly-over project on Murree Road and the initial paperwork has been started to be completed in six months time, he said.

He said proposals are under consideration to complete this mega project in different phases. In first stage, it would be constructed from Mall road to Liaquat Bagh and then to Chandni Chowk. The contract for each phase may be awarded to different companies, he added.

http://brecorder.com/index.php?id=540800&currPageNo=3&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Neo]

Air services between Pak-India to be increased soon
Tuesday March 20, 2007

NEW DELHI: Air services between Pakistan and India will be increased soon in order to improve cross border travel facilities and people to people contact.
An Indian based private News Agency revealed that Aviation Officials of the two countries are expected to meet shortly to discuss the issue.

An understanding for the meeting was reached at Foreign Secretary level talk in Islamabad five days back.

It added that at present Indian Airlines operates one flight a week from Delhi to Lahore while Pakistan International Airlines PIA has four flights a week.

PIA is also plying between New Delhi-Karachi and Mumbai Karachi. Now the two sides will try to work out at least seven flights a week.

They will also discuss the possibility of adding places for air link.

http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?172478

 

[Neo]

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Sofitel Tower for Clifton

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will be the chief guest of the groundbreaking ceremony of a 27-story hotel today (Wednesday) at Governor House.

A special meeting of Cantonment Board Clifton was held Tuesday to consider the approval of the architectural drawings of Sofitel Tower at the old Mideast Hospital Clifton site. The meeting was chaired by Cantonment Board President Brigadier Kamran Aziz Qazi and was attended by Khawaja Iftikhar Ahmed Mir, CEO, and representatives of DHA, Pakistan Navy, and sponsors/owners of Sofitel Tower along with their technical team.

A presentation was given by traffic engineer Farooque Umar on issues raised by the Cantonment Board Clifton at an earlier meeting. After detailed deliberations and discussions the board unanimously resolved to provisionally approve the architectural drawings subject to the provision of an NOC from the CAA for height clearance, the Pakistan Navy from the security point of view and SEPA from an environmental point of view. The Sofitel Tower, to be completed in three years, comprises five basements and a six-story shopping mall.

PPI adds: Sindh Minister for Industry and Trade Muhammad Adil Siddiqui said on Tuesday that a large number of foreigners were moving to Karachi which had created a dire need for such a hotel in the city where more and more international industrial and trade exhibitions were being held. When these events take place, the city’s hotels are all over-booked and more were needed to reduce pressure on the existing ones.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\21\story_21-3-2007_pg12_1

 

[Neo]

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Restoration of road networks requires Rs 6 billion per annum

LAHORE: Long-term asset management analysis indicates that restoration of existing road network conditions to an acceptable level requires annual expenditures of approximately $100 million or Rs 6 billion, said a report available with Daily Times.

Such costs, added the report, could be decreased if a comprehensive pavement preservation program is designed and implemented.

The economic managers of the country have agreed in the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2005-06 that despite the high returns from infrastructure investment, fiscal stresses resulting in high level of public indebtedness rendered public sector investment in infrastructure rather difficult. While the need for access to good quality, reliable and affordable infrastructure is universal in developing countries, the under-investment in this critical area resulted in large infrastructure gap. High growth in developing countries including Pakistan is placing increasing pressure on existing infrastructure.

The survey points out that infrastructure has a central role in the development agenda and is a major contributor to growth, poverty reduction and achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Many studies have demonstrated that the economic returns to infrastructure investment are high, and infrastructure services – especially those contributing to improve investment climate – can make significant contributions to the growth of an economy. A strong, efficient and affordable infrastructure is a critical element of good investment climate and therefore, is a precondition to sustain the growth momentum.

It is estimated that maintenance of the existing Pakistani highways will be a massive task, given the limited resources available for infrastructure needs.

The report suggests that the Asphalt recycling – a well-tested method in Michigan – can transform the road management techniques in Pakistan.

A promising approach that has evolved in recent years has been that of the roadway recovery concept, better known as recycling, as Asphalt recycling involves the reuse of existing roadway materials in the reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of pavements.”

The materials present in old asphalt pavements have residual value even when the pavements have reached the end of their service lives. Recycling recognizes the value of those existing aggregate and asphalt resources through a process known as reclaimed asphalt pavements.

Transport and Communica-tions are important elements of infrastructure services and are essential in maintaining economic growth and competitiveness. Transport and communication sector in Pakistan account for about 11 percent of GDP, 16 percent of fixed investment, 6 percent of employment and about 15 percent of the Public Sector Development Programme.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\24\story_24-3-2007_pg5_2

 

[Neo]

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Etihad increases flights to Pakistan

KARACHI: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced five additional flights to destinations in Pakistan for this summer.

With this increase in frequencies and other schedule adjustments made across the network, swift and convenient onward connections to the airline's fast growing global network will improve dramatically. From 25th March, three flights will be added on the Karachi – Abu Dhabi route; whereas a total of 10 flights will be made available with a choice of departure time of 13:10 or 23:00. In August, one more flight will be added, resulting in a daily schedule with double daily flights on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Islamabad services will expand with one additional flight, making it a total of 7 flights per week with afternoon and evening departures also available to the guests. The timings of the successful daily Lahore services will also be changed to offer a choice of afternoon and evening departures.

Timings of the Peshawar services have also changed slightly with 2 flights departing every week at 8:30 from 29 March onwards. As a result of the new schedules, connections to Africa and the Middle East will also improve for the Pakistan Guests with additional services added on these routes.

The growth over the past year has been especially strong: from four weekly flights to in February 2006 to 27 flights and three additional cities. These expansions are the result of putting our customers first and providing them with safe, swift and convenient travel alternatives.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\24\story_24-3-2007_pg5_8

 

[Neo]

Bids for setting up of five 5-Star hotels invited

ISLAMABAD (March 25 2007): Pakistan Railway has invited bids or expression of interests (EOIs) for setting up of five 5-star hotels or luxury apartments or commercial ventures in four major cities of the country including Karachi, Multan, Rawalpindi and Lahore.

"Pakistan Railway intends to develop the real estates for construction of 5-star hotels/luxury apartments/commercial venture to cater to the growing demand of business community and upward trend in the socio-economic activities in country," a spokesman of Railway Ministry told APP here on Saturday.

He said applications for EOIs for joint venture or bidding documents for straight lease in sealed cover indicating property name applied for should be submitted separately on or before June 25 till 11am.

Applications received after this date and time shall be returned unopened, he added. All bids for straight lease option will be opened by the nominated committee on the same day at 11:30am in the presence of bidders or their representatives in the office of the Director Marketing, Pakistan Railways, Burt Hall, Allama Iqbal Road, Lahore.

Giving details about available sites for the joint ventures or straight lease, he said, vacant Pakistan Railway Land and Kalapul Main Korangi Road, Karachi measures 11 acres and another property opposite Karachi Club, Dr Zia-ud- Din Ahmed Road, Karachi measuring 3.84 acres are available.

In Rawalpindi a plot measuring 5 acres is available on Railway Station Road, Rawalpindi and in Multan plot measuring 4.5 acres is available on Main Bahawalpur Road, Multan Cantt. He said in Lahore, land for building one or two 5-Star hotels in Mayo Gardens Colony, Lahore at 3 plots collectively measuring 13 acres are available. He said Pakistan Railway is keenly interested to offer these properties on Joint Venture Project (JV) on straight lease basis for a period of 99 years.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=542830&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

 

[Janbaz]

Musharraf lays foundation stone of Lai Expressway

RAWALPINDI: President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday laid foundation stone of Rs. 16 billion Lai Expressway project in Rawalpindi.

President Musharraf arrived by a helicopter at historic Liaquat Bagh of Rawalpindi to address a public meeting.

Railways Minister Shaikh Rashid addressing the public meeting said that President Musharraf’s policies have guided the country to a respectable place.

He said that construction of Nullah Lai Expressway would resolve the traffic problem and save loss of human lives from floodwater of Nullah Lai.

Minister of Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal, other federal and provincial ministers were also present at the meeting.

People were present in large number at the meeting place and chanting slogans for President Musharraf. Stringent security measures have been taken in the city on the occasion.

The News.
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp#20054