Rohri-Nokundi rail upgrade to improve mineral transport and support Reko Diq development in Balochistan.
ISLAMABAD: The government has planned the upgradation of an 884-kilometre railway link from Rohri to Nokundi to connect the mineral-rich Chagai region with national and international markets through Main Line-1 (ML-1), marking a major step towards strengthening mineral transportation infrastructure in Balochistan.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project involves upgrading Main Line-3 (ML-3) from Rohri to Nokundi and is being developed as part of the Reko Diq Rail Connectivity Project.
The proposed rail link is expected to provide a more efficient transportation route for mineral resources from the Chagai range, including minerals associated with the Reko Diq mining project, towards domestic and international markets.
Pakistan Railways, RDMC advance coordination
Pakistan Railways and Reko Diq Mining Company (RDMC) began coordination on the project in 2023 through joint site visits and technical studies.
The first meeting of the Pakistan Railways-RDMC technical, commercial and legal working groups was held on July 19, 2024, laying the groundwork for further development of the proposed rail connectivity.
On August 8, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a $390 million bridge financing arrangement by RDMC to support implementation of the project.
The PC-II for the detailed design of the track upgradation was also approved on the same day. Following the approval, the procurement process was launched to appoint a design consultant for the project.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) subsequently approved the Rail Development Agreement and Bridge Financing Agreement associated with the Reko Diq Rail Connectivity Project.
The $390 million bridge financing agreement, along with the Rail Development Agreement, has since been executed with RDMC.
Project enters active management phase
During the second Steering Committee meeting held on March 30, 2026, RDMC informed stakeholders that the project would enter a 12-month active management phase, scheduled to continue until June 30, 2027.
The project’s PC-I was principally recommended by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on June 18, 2026, for approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The groundbreaking ceremony for the rail connectivity project is expected to take place in July 2027.
Strategic importance for mineral exports
The planned Rohri-Nokundi rail upgrade is expected to play a strategic role in connecting Balochistan’s mineral resources with Pakistan’s wider railway network and international markets.
Improved rail connectivity could reduce transportation constraints, enhance supply chain efficiency and provide a more reliable route for moving minerals over long distances.
The project is also being viewed as an important component of the infrastructure required to support development of the Reko Diq project and unlock the broader economic potential of the Chagai mineral belt.
Once completed, the planned rail upgrade could strengthen connectivity between resource-rich areas and major transport corridors, potentially supporting higher mineral exports and attracting further investment in Pakistan’s mining and logistics sectors.