Several power generation and road improvement projects have already been completed under CPEC, but ML-I is one of the core components of the project, according to an official.
The Chinese government is also investing US$ 6.8 billion in the ML-1 project, which involves upgrading and dualizing railway tracks as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This 1872-kilometer track connecting Peshawar and Karachi is estimated to generate 24,000 jobs and increase train speeds to 160 km/h.
The new tracks with better subdivisions will be set up at 160km/h from Karashi to Peshawar and Taxila to Havelian. Bridges will also be rebuilt and built. This mega-project is a wonderful illustration of the friendship between Pakistan and China.
This massive project also includes the installation of modern signalling and telecom systems, the conversion of level crossings into underpasses or flyovers, track fencing, the development of a dry port near Havelian, and the upgrading of Walton Training Academy (Lahore).
The completion of this project will not only create direct jobs (20,000 local labor/technical specialists and 4,000 Chinese experts), but it would also cut the travel time between Karachi and Lahore from 18 to 9 hours.
