Karachi Port to begin ‘Cargo Village’ civil works in April '06

Karachi: The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is going to hold ground breaking in April this year for construction of a mega project of 'cargo village' which is expected to need an investment of $400 million. The 'village' will be in proximity of harbour's western backwater.

The KPT has drawn up plans to start infrastructure development work to provide utilities in its proposed project of 'cargo village'. The first phase of the 'village'--a storage facility--will be constructed on an area of 260 to 300 acres, while the second phase will be spread over an area of 1,100 acres.

The KPT has further planned to participate aggressively in the future requirements of growth and development in the regional perspective to accommodate increasing future requirements of cargoes.

The 'cargo village', described as a vital project for Karachi port, will provide maximum facilities needed for the promotion of container trade in the region.

The KPT would keep a close watch on the modern cargo handling with the help of most modern methods and techniques.

The development of this project (cargo village) would channelise the port's resources to help generate trade activity and supplement the national economy.

The cargo village, with swift throughway connection to National Highways, including Lyari Expressway, Karachi Northern Bypass, ICI bridge, Sands spit bridge and through sea link, will streamline the transportation network. Another link will be established through railways.

The facility will act as a satellite to the port with integrated facilities, including inland clearance depot (ICD), container freight station (CFS), bonded and un-bonded warehouses, storage and transit yards, inter-modal yard (IMY), refrigerated cargo terminal, food processing plants, support offices area and other facilities, including packaging units.

The 'cargo village' would have its own export processing zone (EPZ). The KPT would also invite various units private sector to participate in the proposed 'cargo village'.