Sindh and the federal government have approved a Rs63.26 billion plan to upgrade key rail routes, crossings and stations across the province.
Sindh and Federal Government Agree on Mega Rail Upgrade
Sindh and the federal government have jointly approved a multi-billion-rupee programme to modernise the railway network across the province. The plan focuses initially on the Karachi–Kashmore and Karachi–Tharparkar corridors, aiming to revive long-neglected tracks and restore passenger services on key routes.
The agreement was finalised at a meeting in the Chief Minister’s House, attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, along with senior officials from both sides. The chief minister directed that funds for the project be released without delay so that construction and rehabilitation work can begin as soon as possible.
Scope of Work: Tracks, Crossings and New Train Services
Under the plan, the Sindh government intends to upgrade 100 of the 308 high-priority railway crossings, repair and revive rail infrastructure and restore passenger services in phases. In the first stage, six trains are expected to be introduced, followed by another six in the second stage, helping reconnect towns and cities that have seen reduced or suspended services in recent years.
Officials also reviewed a suburban rail concept designed to provide “city-centre to city-centre” connectivity. If implemented, this model could serve around 37 million residents, giving them a more affordable alternative to road travel and easing pressure on congested highways and urban roads.
Rehabilitation of 858km of Track Across Six Routes
A major part of the project involves rehabilitating approximately 858 kilometres of railway track on six important routes across Sindh. These include:
- Kotri–Dadu (181 km).
- Dadu–Larkana–Habib Kot (166 km).
- Hyderabad–Mirpurkhas–Marvi (200 km).
- Rohri–Jacobabad (87 km).
- Jacobabad–Kashmore Colony (124 km).
- Hyderabad–Badin (100 km).
Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon noted that the upgrades could significantly improve journey times. On the Kotri–Dadu stretch alone, travel time could be reduced by roughly an hour and a half once the track is fully rehabilitated.
Better track conditions are also expected to improve safety, reduce derailment risks and make it easier to run trains at consistent speeds.
Project Cost Breakdown and Safety Programme
The total cost of the modernisation programme has been estimated at Rs63.26 billion. According to officials, around Rs33 billion has been allocated for core infrastructure works such as track rehabilitation, signalling and structures. A further Rs27.6 billion is earmarked for the purchase of six new diesel multiple unit (DMU) train sets, which are intended to provide more reliable and efficient passenger services. Another Rs2.66 billion has been set aside for maintenance and related facilities.
The meeting also approved a separate Rs6 billion safety programme to upgrade 308 high-risk, unmanned railway crossings into manned crossings. This initiative aims to cut down on accidents where roads intersect with railway lines, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressed that public funds must be used to benefit ordinary people, and said it was unfair for the poor to face daily risks and hardships while infrastructure remained outdated or unsafe.
Rohri Station Upgrade and What It Means for Passengers
Alongside the wider network overhaul, officials discussed a near Rs1 billion plan to upgrade Rohri Railway Station, one of the most important junctions in Sindh. The proposed improvements include refurbished platforms, renovated station buildings, six escalators and a solar-powered water filtration plant for passengers.
The Rohri upgrade is expected to be completed within six months once work begins, and is designed to make the station more accessible, comfortable and user-friendly for travellers.
Taken together, the new trains, safer crossings, rehabilitated tracks and improved stations could transform how people move within Sindh. If implemented effectively, the Rs63 billion plan has the potential to reconnect underserved areas, reduce road congestion, and make rail travel a more attractive option for both daily commuters and long-distance passengers.
