The federal government of Pakistan is prepared to begin building a 105-kilometer railway link from Thar to Port Qasim in order to move coal from nearby areas to power plants around the country.
According to media reports, the project, which is being jointly funded by the federal and Sindh governments, would be managed by federal officials.
The railroad track will make it easier to move coal from the Thar coalfields to power facilities around the country, increasing the amount of affordable coal-based electricity that contributes to Pakistan’s energy mix.
But a subject-matter specialist brought up social and environmental issues with the Thar coal projects. She emphasized the negative impacts on the neighborhood, such as diminished air and water pollution, job loss, migration, and limited prospects for growth.
She voiced worries about the route’s potential to disrupt ecosystems and agricultural productivity because it passes through human communities, conserved forests, and agricultural land.
She also took issue with the narrative that suggested Thar coal may help bring down the cost of power.
