Rail line along mekran coastal highway

[lafete]

Is there any value (or plan) to have a rail line along the mekran coastal highway.

If an oil/gas pipeline is built along the mekran coastal highway, could the Iranian's and Saudis both be allowed to use it?

How long will it take cargo train to reach Dubai from Karachi?

 

[FuturePAF]

We have a road that is underutilized leading to a port that is underutilized. Before we build more underutilized infrastructure, we need to build only on things that can generate a return on investment, so they are self-sustaining.

Besides, if we need to transport cargo to Iran, we can truck it from Karachi to the border along the Makran coastal highway or through the rail link from Quetta. Let’s get some business going to Iran and Turkey via the existing infrastructure, and then upgrade when demand necessitates.

 

[arjunk]

Truck drivers will never allow rail infra to develop.

 

[lafete]

First: Given the current geo political situation two scenarios are very likely:
1) Iran-US renegotiation. This will ensure European and Chinese investment into Iran. Resumption of the IPI pipeline.
2) US tightening screws on Saudi. This will mean more Saudi investment in Chinese backed projects - like the recently announced restart of the 10 billion investment in Gwadar oil refinery.

A pipeline and rail line along the mekran coast makes biz sense since both Iran pipeline and Saudi refinery can benefit from it.

Second: There is a huge potential in the middle east market, fresh produce export, labour transport, etc. A 10-12 hour rail link between Karachi and Dubai will have enormous benefits - eventually it could even be extended to India.

Third: CPEC

One of things which does not come up during cpec discussions is a direct rail link between Africa and China. The Rail link connecting Hamburg Germany and Chengdu China only takes 14 days. It could be cut to 4 days if the railway tracks were of the same width.

The two routes are: China, central asia, Iran, Oman/UAE, Yemen and the Chinese base in djibouti, Africa.
China, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen and djibouti, Africa. The total travel time on rail would be around 4-5 days if international standard rail is used everywhere - as apposed to a month via sea.

The straight of hormuz is only 40km long. And the bab al-mandab is only 26km long. There is no need for tunnel or bridge as we have old technologies which can move trains over water: