FuturePAF
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hopefully they will one day also do a real feasibility study of a Karakoram railway, so it’s costs can be compared with the economic benefits (especially considering how volatile an Afghan route to Central Asia is looking).KKH ...
Pakistan has approached China for the provision $1.6 billion soft loan for the realignment of the Karakorum Highway from Thakot to Raikot under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
China has already given a green signal in this regard and now a concept clearance for the realignment of the Karakorum Highway from Thakot to Raikot project has been approved by the Central Development Working Party (CWDP) which will enable the governments of Pakistan and China to finalize the soft loan for the project, an official source told.
The estimated cost of the realignment of 256 kilometers of Karakorum Highway from Thakot to Raikot is $1.8 billion which will be shared with a ratio of 90 percent and 10 percent respectively by China and Pakistan, official sources explained.
The Nepal-China railway is said to only cost about $8 billion, consisting of 98% tunnels (built with a tunnel hiring machine) and bridges, so even if it the route if a bit longer and going to cost a bit more, not being dependent on the Afghans and entrenching Chinese interest in the transit corridor in GB/JK will pay off so much for domestic and international relations (Pakistan will have the freedom to deal with the Afghans more firmly). Then the country can be less worried about an Indian plans for GB/JK and can devote more sources to Economic development.
$23-27 billion if we extrapolate the high end of the Nepal section ($3-3.5 Billion of 170 km section with the harshest terrain) of the Nepal-China railway with 98% tunnels and Bridges. Probably should add 2-3 billion to cover a change of gauges terminal at Havelian and for possible delays; so no life than $25-30 Billion if construction starts soon.
Can Nepal afford an ‘$8 billion’ rail line from Lhasa to Kathmandu?
Questions galore over costs and benefits of the ambitious project. Nepali leg alone is expected to cost over $3 billion.
kathmandupost.com
The following video may have cringey parts but it gives more details of this possible project.
Any chance this alignment connects with Fort Monro? Increasing that motorway connection could be vital considering how vulnerable to flooding the route from Sukkur to Quetta is, and the security risk of a route along the former FATA can be. It would also increase logistics; economic activities and troop movements between southern Punjab and Baluchistan.,.,
CPEC Western Route 50 Km Yarik Saggo Motorway extension M-14 ground Breaking ceremony will be held in D I Khan today .It will be shortest one hour Quetta Zhob Islamabad travelling time. It is part of D I Khan Tank , Lucky Marwat Development package...
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