Lahore: Pakistan Railways (PR) and the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) have agreed to upgrade the Main Line-2 (ML-2) into a dedicated freight corridor. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said the project will cost around $2 billion. "We had an important meeting with the NLC authorities on Thursday wherein we both agreed to start working for developing a dedicated freight corridor at the ML-2 starting from Kotri and ending at Attock," Mr Abbasi told Dawn. To prepare for the project, they will hire an international consultant to conduct feasibility studies and other preparatory work. The NLC will arrange financing through banks or funding agencies. The ML-2 is a vital railway route spanning about 1,250 kilometers with over 90 operational stations, including Kotri, Sehwan Sharif, Mohenjodaro, Larkana, Rajanpur, DG Khan, Mianwali, and Attock City. Mr Abbasi added that the upgraded ML-2 will feature new dedicated tracks for freight trains along with modern facilities. On another front, he mentioned that the first phase of the ML-1 project, covering Karachi to Rohri (480km), is expected to start construction in July. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed to financing this phase. Negotiations for funding the other phases of ML-1 are ongoing with international institutions. Additionally, work on the ML-3 route upgrade (Rohri to Taftan via Sibbi and Quetta), which is over 1,000 km long and crucial for international freight (Pakistan to Turkey via Iran), is slated to begin in April. PR’s CEO Amir Ali Baloch said ADB teams have visited the ML-1 phase-1 site multiple times and discussions with bank officials are progressing well. "We are very hopeful of starting work in July this year," he confirmed. The entire $6.7 billion ML-1 project will be executed in phases, starting with Karachi to Rohri. This major rail infrastructure push aims to enhance Pakistan's freight transport significantly.