According to documents obtained by Business Recorder, the 24-point agreement was signed by heads of states of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan during the 10th ECO Summit held on May 24, 2009 in Tehran.
The 9th point of the agreement calls for encouraging ECO member states for the establishment of a Free Trade Area in the region by 2015 as a priority task, "as agreed in the 10th Eco Summit in Tehran (2009)".
It was also agreed "to take urgent steps for development of the infrastructure connectivity between the three countries and in the region, including construction of roads, railways and improving the existing network".
The location of the project is Quetta, Mastung, Nushki and Chagai districts of Balochistan.
Physical activities and consequent financial outlays are spread over a period of five years reckoning from the financial year 2012-13. The project will thus be completed by June 2017 and will become fully operational soon thereafter provided funds required in each year are fully allocated and released.
Non-availability or delayed release of funds will prolong the construction period beyond 5 years apart from escalating the cost of the project, thus causing time and cost overruns.
The immediate improvement/rehabilitation of railways track between Spezand to Koh-i-Taftan has become inevitable as the existing condition of track is too deplorable because of outdated and average track infrastructure which renders the running of trains unsafe. The rehabilitation of this section has assumed urgency with the introduction of ECO container train from Islamabad to Istanbul via Iran travelling through this route.
The frequency of trains has been curtailed due to poor patronage by the passengers, primarily due to exceedingly high travel time between Quetta and Taftan, a reflection of the deteriorating condition of track infrastructure. The current situation can not be improved unless complete up-gradation and rehabilitation of the section is undertaken immediately, to bring the same at par with the national highway so as to have a competitive edge over the road.
The objectives of the project is to reduce the number of curve, eliminate curves, increasing speed of train as 100 Km/hr from Spezand to Nushki and 140 km/hr from Nushki to Taftan, replace existing bridges for increasing speed and converting all existing dips into bridges, to revitalise the existing link as a speedy and safe trade route from Asia to Europe via Iran and Turkey for boosting Pakistan's potential as transit country etc.
A feasibility study for rehabilitation and up-gradation of the section has been conducted.
About the security, the documents says that adequate trained security staff armed with weapons has been proposed to ensure safety of railway and contractor's staff during the construction stage. For security of train operations railway infrastructure, passengers and staff after commissioning of the project, the provincial and railway police will assume the responsibility as on the rest of the railway network.
About freight demand and supply, the documents says that it is assumed that 15% of existing traffic of domestic, Saindak Project and Pak-Iran freight will be attracted by the planned project. Thus the traffic demand will be 3,706 tons per day. In addition 5% will be generated by the growth of industry and mineral exploration. The total demand of local and Pakistan-Iran traffic will be 3,892 tons/day.