ISLAMABAD, SEPT 22 (DNA) – The inability of federal and provincial governments to do away with their inefficiencies has held back benefits of some of the critical China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects as an $8.2-billion project for upgrading main railway lines and a scheme for setting up special economic zones face delay.

The project for improvement of Pakistan Railways’ existing Main Line (ML-I) was planned to be completed in two phases between 2016 and 2020. However, its preliminary design has not been completed yet, creating hurdles in the way of coming up with the final cost and financing arrangements.

“The project cost can go up or down as the preliminary design will still take time,” said an official of the Planning Commission.