The Road That Binds Pakistan and China Together

[Donatello]

Yes, it is being upgraded to four lanes in many sections, if I remember correctly.

(But still no railroad or oil pipeline.)

Not sure if they can make it 4 lane all the way, because some routes go through some really hard terrain. Same with railways.
The Karakorams and Himalayas aren't very forgiving, you know.

Pipeline, i am not sure what the pipeline would carry, since the TAPI will come from Afghanistan, not China. Entirely different areas and routes.

 

[VCheng]

Not sure if they can make it 4 lane all the way, because some routes go through some really hard terrain. Same with railways.
The Karakorams and Himalayas aren't very forgiving, you know.

Pipeline, i am not sure what the pipeline would carry, since the TAPI will come from Afghanistan, not China. Entirely different areas and routes.

That is why I said "many sections".

Weren't there news about the famed economic corridor to China to include a railway line and oil pipeline being touted here by many?

 

[Donatello]

That is why I said "many sections".

Weren't there news about the famed economic corridor to China to include a railway line and oil pipeline being touted here by many?

Yes they mentioned railways, which can be done, but would be cost prohibitive, unless the trade volume reached tiple digit billion USD figures. China's south west the part that borders Pakistan, is piss poor third world. So unless China thinks that importing goods at Gwader, shipping them via KKH/Railways and then towards mainland China is cheaper/quicker, i don't know how far it will go.

The pipeline in question was related to the Russian-China oil/gas pipeline and the prospect of it extending it down south to Pakistan. but we don't know the economics of that, because if Turkmenistan can export via Afghanistan, it would be much cheaper/simpler.

 

[Edevelop]

 

[VCheng]

Yes they mentioned railways, which can be done, but would be cost prohibitive, unless the trade volume reached tiple digit billion USD figures. China's south west the part that borders Pakistan, is piss poor third world. So unless China thinks that importing goods at Gwader, shipping them via KKH/Railways and then towards mainland China is cheaper/quicker, i don't know how far it will go.

The pipeline in question was related to the Russian-China oil/gas pipeline and the prospect of it extending it down south to Pakistan. but we don't know the economics of that, because if Turkmenistan can export via Afghanistan, it would be much cheaper/simpler.

Thank you for a sane evaluation. Now only if the deluded supporters of such claims can think about it rationally, or is it too much to expect?

 

[Edevelop]

 

[Donatello]

Thank you for a sane evaluation. Now only if the deluded supporters of such claims can think about it rationally, or is it too much to expect?

Deluded will remain deluded. But then there is reality. You can build all you want, (search up ghost towns in China, the abandoned homes in USA in 2008, while homeless sleep in the parks) but you need to get the economic value out of it.

As a random example,
I can build a new seaport at 100 billion USD and claim that it has the largest handling capacity in the world, so it is number 1. But are the trade figures really number 1 as well? I mean, what's the point in building it, if only 1 billion USD trade is going to pass per year?

Trust me, Chinese are much more smarter than that.

They are giving loans and building infrastructure, but they know that loans can only be paid back if that infrastructure makes money.

 

[VCheng]

Deluded will remain deluded. But then there is reality. You can build all you want, (search up ghost towns in China, the abandoned homes in USA in 2008, while homeless sleep in the parks) but you need to get the economic value out of it.

As a random example,
I can build a new seaport at 100 billion USD and claim that it has the largest handling capacity in the world, so it is number 1. But are the trade figures really number 1 as well? I mean, what's the point in building it, if only 1 billion USD trade is going to pass per year?

Trust me, Chinese are much more smarter than that.

They are giving loans and building infrastructure, but they know that loans can only be paid back if that infrastructure makes money.

May be @Horus will give us his thoughts on the above?

 

[Asian.Century]

Awesome pics!

 

[waleed3601]

That is why I said "many sections".

Weren't there news about the famed economic corridor to China to include a railway line and oil pipeline being touted here by many?

I think we will hear of that in the coming 2 weeks as China and Pak are supposed to ink up some very important infrastructure deals worth $30bln. That huge amount would have to mean something huge, and I suppose it's either for the railway/gas pipeline or for infrastructure development of Gwadar.

 

[Green Arrow]

Truly a remarkable road. been there many times

 

[Azizam]

As I recall this is one of the most dangerous routes to travel because of the rocks that are falling from the rocky mountains but scenery is truly stunning.

 

[Donatello]

As I recall this is one of the most dangerous routes to travel because of the rocks that are falling from the rocky mountains but scenery is truly stunning.

Yes, stunning is the right word. You have to see the sunrise and sunset over Concordia/Askole/Skardu.

 

[Areesh]

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Good job providing a bait to Bharati trolls and ruining otherwise a brilliant thread. Shabash.

 

[Attock]

Truly a remarkable road. been there many times

Can you get a package holiday for these places? What is the best time to go?