ADB to finalise ML-1 design by October

The Asian Development Bank said in a Wednesday statement that its technical team aims to wrap up the design of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway by October, a step central to launching the multibillion-dollar project. The Express Tribune reported that once the design is settled, the bank will proceed with procurement and later stages, working in step with the government.

Senator Ahad Cheema, the federal economic affairs minister, welcomed the progress made by the bank and its teams, stressing close coordination among all stakeholders to keep the work on schedule. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regards the project as a top priority and that the government is ready to meet its obligations promptly.

Cheema also urged a continuing review of the implementation timeline to find ways to shorten it, while meeting all technical, legal and procedural conditions. ADB representatives said they would share the requirements for later processing and approvals, including consideration by the ADB Board, with the government in good time.