Building Material Carriage services are essential for any construction project and a good transport service is crucial to the success of any project. In Pakistan, you have three options when it comes to building material carriage. You can take a train, an aircraft, or waterways. However, if you want to save time, you can opt for an auto-rickshaw. These types of vehicles are popular for short distance trips.
Transport in Pakistan
The government of Pakistan continues to invest heavily in infrastructure development and public transport. The largest allocation of funding goes to the national highways and railways. Nine construction projects are underway under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mechanism. The construction industry in Pakistan is estimated to be worth US$13.6 trillion last year and is expected to reach US$15.2 trillion in 2022. The industry employs approximately 7% of the global labour force and contributes 14.3% to the country’s GDP.
Currently, there are three major highways in Pakistan. The M-2 and M-1 highways connect the major cities of Islamabad and Lahore. The M-4 highway connects Multan and Faisalabad. The M-3 motorway extends from Lahore to Faisalabad and ends at the M4 highway.
The Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) project connects the ports of Western China with Gwadar in Pakistan. The proposed corridor would reduce the country’s dependence on the Gulf of Aden and improve trade opportunities. In addition, the project is expected to boost economic development and employment opportunities.
The CPEC project is a major step in the development of Pakistan’s trade relations with China. It will reduce the physical distance between the two countries and reduce travel time. As a result, China will be able to benefit from a broader market through Pakistan’s growing trade relationship with China.
Railways
In Pakistan, there are various companies providing Building Material Carriage Services. Generally, they offer several services ranging from pre-qualification of consultants to construction supervision and transportation. The rates charged for these services are based on the market trends. This service is suitable for building projects requiring large amount of material transport.
Pakistan’s waterway network is in its infancy and Karachi is the only major city that borders the Arabian Sea. However, the country is developing a waterway system along the Indus River and Punjab. This would help the country’s economy and increase employment opportunities. Earlier, Karachi used to have a ferry connection with the City of Mumbai in India, but this service was suspended when the two countries went to war.
The country’s transport network is extensive and diverse and serves 212.2 million people. In recent years, new motorways and national highways have been constructed to improve trade within the country. The country’s rail network is owned by Pakistan Railways, and there are airports and seaports throughout the country. The history of modern Pakistan traces its roots to the Indus Valley civilization.
Private cab services are also available in Pakistan. These cab services operate cars, minibuses, and motorcycles and provide a safe, reliable means of transportation. Radio Cab, a ride-hailing service, allows riders to call a toll-free number to be transferred to a taxi stand. It is currently available in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi and is expanding its services to include Hyderabad. Another local cab service is iCAB, a mobile application-based service. The company claims to be the first cab service in Pakistan and offers services across the country.
Waterways
Pakistani waterways could become a boon to the nation’s economy. The long Indus River and its tributaries run through the country, connecting major cities in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Developing a system of waterways connecting the three countries could result in huge economic benefits for the region of over 500 million people. In addition to trade, inland waterways could also be used for engineering and other purposes.
Although the waterway system of Pakistan is still in its early stages, plans are afoot to build a network of canals along the Indus River and throughout the Punjab. This would boost the economy and create employment opportunities in the region. Before the two countries went to war, Karachi had a ferry service connecting it with the Indian city of Mumbai, but this was discontinued after a decade.
In India, waterways play an important role in domestic connectivity and lowering logistics costs. According to the World Bank, shipping a ton of cargo by waterway costs only one cent per kilometer, compared to two cents or more for road or rail transport. This represents a dramatic cost reduction in terms of time and energy. Waterways also generate low noise and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
In addition to last-mile delivery, waterways are also becoming more popular as commuter routes. Many people enjoy taking waterways to work, which helps alleviate the strain on roads and transportation networks.
Qing-Qi
Qing-Qi is a relatively new type of transport in Pakistan. It combines the characteristics of a motorcycle and an auto-rickshaw. It runs on three wheels instead of two and can carry a heavier load. This form of transportation is mostly used for short distances.
The company’s Freight Business Unit employs around 12,000 people and operates 200 freight stations along the railway network. The network serves the ports of Karachi and Qasim and generates revenue from industrial, agricultural and imported goods. Among these, petroleum generates 39% of revenue, while imports of fertiliser and wheat generate 19%. The rest comes from domestic traffic.
The LTC, the city’s transportation authority, has started studying the problem of Qing-Qi rickshaws and aims to phase out the illegal public transport. According to the chief traffic officer, Captain (r) Sohail Chaudhry, the rickshaws are extremely dangerous because their drivers are underage and often do not have a valid licence. As a result, they are prone to accidents and traffic flow is disrupted.
With the growing population, the need for public transportation is soaring. This is especially true in the case of construction materials. With this growing demand, the company has invested approximately $12 million in the project.
Silk Road
Building material carriage services along the New Silk Road are essential for the construction of infrastructure along the routes. Last year, China served 183 cities in 23 European countries with products totaling 336,000 standard containers. The number of trains is expected to reach 15,000 by 2021. A part of the railway service is slated to pass through Ukraine.
The Silk Road’s construction projects face a number of challenges. In addition to unforgiving terrain, the region is a tinderbox of armed militants. Separatist attacks in China’s Xinjiang province and the resurgent Taliban in Pakistan pose a constant threat. It is crucial to consider the security and stability of the countries in Central Asia before embarking on ambitious commercial projects.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has launched several infrastructure mega-projects along the Silk Road. These projects will link Asia and Europe. The initiative is already in its early stages and is spearheaded by major governments and international development banks. It does not include private sector investment. Without private sector investment, the New Silk Road is little more than a network of new highways, underpopulated new cities, and empty SEZs.
Restoring the Silk Road corridor is crucial for the continued development of the region’s economies. It will facilitate greater collaboration among nations and pave the way for continued prosperity in the new century.
