"AL-KHUSHI"
CROSS-SEA BRIDGE OR UNDERSEA TUNNEL
"CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SOUTH ASIA & THE MIDDLE EAST "
CROSS-SEA BRIDGE OR UNDERSEA TUNNEL
"CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SOUTH ASIA & THE MIDDLE EAST "
Bullet Train, Japan |
To connect the South Asia to the Middle East, in order, to reduce the travelling distance, time & cost as compare to present day, as well as, easily mass transaction of goods & people across the sea, there exists a dire need of a Cross-sea Bridge or Undersea Tunnel, which will increase the import & export activities from both the sides as well as to boost growth, prosperity & development immensely in the Countries located nearby. In this regard a complete feasibility report has been carried out, as to see the possibility of this “History Turning Point”.
At first, a name “Al-Khushi” is given to the proposed Cross-sea Bridge or Undersea Tunnel. The etymology of word “Al-Khushi” is also unique as the project itself. The word is derived from Arabic, (a language of the Middle East) and Urdu (Language of the South Asian Countries, such as India, Pakistan & Nepal), languages. “Al” is taken from Arabic, means “The” and “Khushi” is taken from Urdu means “Happiness & Cheerfulness”, collectively, it is, “The Happiness”, means “Welcome the happiness & prosperity from both sides i.e. The Middle East & The South Asia”, as well as, a symbol of “Friendship” between two gigantic landmasses, as to create the atmosphere of fair trade wind. There are three ways to connect these two landmasses across the sea:
Types of Tunnels |
a. By Cross-sea Bridge
b. By Undersea Tunnel
i. Submerged Floating
Tunnel ( No. 2 in Picture)
ii. Immersed Tube Tunnel
( No. 3 in Picture)
iii. Undersea (beneath
Seabed) Tunnel
( No. 4 in Picture)
c. By Bridge-Tunnel (is the combination of Bridge & any type of tunnel, the tunnel usually located at chokepoint (The busiest sea route) / central point, allowing smooth functioning of ships as well as nearby air traffic, the fine example of the same is “Oresund Bridge” between Denmark & Sweden).
To connect these landmasses, the Gulf of Oman & Strait of Hormuz along-with its boundaries has been investigated deeply & carefully from all the relevant aspects. Accordingly, following three nearest plans / points have been found suitable to connect the South Asia to the Middle East:
Plan-A: Jiwani, Pakistan to Muscat, Oman
Plan-B: Point between Bala Boland & Berizak, Iran to Limah, Oman
Plan-C: Khammasi Island, Iran to Khasab, Oman
Plan-A: Jiwani, Pakistan to Muscat, Oman
Plan-B: Point between Bala Boland & Berizak, Iran to Limah, Oman
Plan-C: Khammasi Island, Iran to Khasab, Oman
Jiwani, Pakistan to Muscat, Oman, (353 Km distance) |
Point between Bala Boland & Berizak, Iran to Limah, Oman (75km) |
Khammasi Island, Iran to Point Near Khasab, Oman (55km) |
The Plan-A, will connect the South Asia (Pakistan) to Oman (the Middle East) directly through Cross-sea Bridge or Undersea Tunnel, while, the Plan-B & Plan-C will connect the South Asia to the Middle East indirectly through Iran. The distance from Jiwani to Bala Boland & Bandar Abbas is 588km & 900km respectively. The Comparative Statement of proposed plans & Current State of Bridge & Tunnel in the world is as under:
Comparative Statement of Proposed Plans
Estimated Duration
Estimated Cost of Construction
Description Total Depth Crosssea Undersea Total Bridge Tunnel Total
Distance (In Mid) Bridge Tunnel Cost Period
of Sea
Plan-A 353km 3326m $18 Billion $23 Bil $41.8 Bil 5 yrs 39 yrs 44 yrs
Plan-B 75km 100m $4 Billion $5 Bil $9.8 Bil 3 yrs 8 yrs 11 yrs
Plan-C 55km 104m $3 Billion $3.6 Bil $7.4 Bil 2 yrs 6 yrs 8 yrs
Note: As the Bullet Train will also be commenced, so the cost of Bullet Train
is $80 Million per train is included in total cost of each Plan.
is $80 Million per train is included in total cost of each Plan.
Current State of Bridge & Undersea Tunnel in the World
Duration of
Description Location Length Tallness Completion Opened
Longest Bridge Danyang Kunshan 164.8km - 5 years 2011
Grand Bridge, China
Longest Crosssea Jiaozhou Bay Bridge 42km - 3 years 2011
Bridge China
Tallest Height from Stonecutter Bridge - 73.5m 5 years 2009
Bridge Deck to Hong Kong
Sea level
Tallest Ship Oasis of the Seas - 72m 4 years 2011
Bahamas
Longest Undersea Seikan Tunnel 54m - 6 years 1988
Tunnel Japan
Tunnel Japan
Oasis of the Seas (World Tallest Ship) |
The proposed Plan-A, will be utilised not only by Pakistan but the countries around the border (i.e. India, China, Afghanistan, & Iran etc), for the purpose of Import, Export & travel, most interesting thing is that the route will also be utilised for “Religious Tourism”, as well as by skilled & un-skilled workers to immigrate across the sea countries for global experience, as the total number of pilgrims (for Hajj at Saudi Arabia), & skilled & un-skilled workers from Pakistan & around the countries are 424,872 & 2,830,500, respectively, which will increase a handsome remittances & foreign investment as a part of an economic indicator, then, at first, Foreign Investment will increase, due to low exchange rate, availability of reasonable Skilled & Unskilled workers, cheap & fast travel, (within “an hour” visit from Oman), will also attract FDI & Multinational Companies, resultantly, opportunities for growth will raise, eventually GDP, livening standard will be high, in that the “Open Economic System” will start, which will increase the exchange rate. Thus, inflation will decrease and foreign reserves will grow awesomely, which undoubtedly is the symbol of development & prosperity of the Country, business & tourism.
As far as, relations between Pakistan and Oman are concerned, the same are characterised by friendliness, cooperation and common perception over regional and international issues. 30% of Omanis are of Balochi origin, and more than 85,000 Pakistani immigrants’ reside in Oman. However, for more real picture, the Comparative means of transpiration is as under, in which the difference of present & post scenario can clearly be seen:
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT BY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
(PRESENT SCENARIO)
BY SHIP (FOR CARGO)
Between Sailing Duration Average Annual Annual Total
Distance (Average Freight of Containers Freights
Port to Ship Speed Shipment Traffic
Port) 12 knots/km)
Pak to Oman 865km 1 day 15 hrs Rs. 88,150/- 2473 Rs.217 Mil
(Karachi to
Muscat Port)
BY AIR (PASSENGER ONLY)
Between Distance Duration Fare Annual Total Annual
(Airport Estimated Average Fare
to Airport) Time taken on Traffic
Business Jet
Pak to Oman 885km 1 hour Rs. 25,580/- 4250 Rs. 108.7 Mil
(Karachi to Muscat)
(with Stopover)
BY FERRY / CRUISER (PASSENGER ONLY)
Between Distance Duration Fare Annual Total Annual
(Port Average Average Fare
to Port) Ship Speed Traffic
12 Knot/km
Pak to Oman 865km 1 day 2 hrs Rs. 25,000/- 4250 Rs.106 Mil
(Karachi to Muscat Port)
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT BY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION
(POST SCENARIO)
BY TRUCKS / LORRIES / TRAILERS (OVER PROPOSED BRIDGE,
FOR CARGO) (Rs.70/km)
Between Distance Duration Shipment Annual Total Freight
Average Average Containers
Speed 120 km/h Freight Traffic
Pak to Oman 353km 3hrs 34 min Rs.27,181/- 2473 Rs.67 Mil
BY BULLET TRAIN (PASSENGER ONLY)
Between Distance Duration Fare Annual Total Annual
Average Rs.30/km Average Fare
Speed 580 km/h Traffic
Pak to Oman 353km 1 hour Rs.10,590/- 4250 Rs.45 Mill
BY FLYING COACHES (OVER PROPOSED BRIDGE,
(PASSENGER ONLY)
Between Distance Duration Fare Annual Total Annual
Average Rs.2/km Average Fare
Speed 140 km/h Traffic
Pak to Oman 353km 2hrs 52 min Rs. 706/- 4250 Rs.3 Mil
RELIGIOUS TOURISM (PASSENGER ONLY)
Between Distance Duration Fare Annual Total Annual
By Bullet Train Average Traffic Fare
& Local Tpt Traffic
Pak , Oman 1882km 9 hours Rs. 13,648/- 180,000 Rs.2.456 Bil
to Saudi Arabia
Plan-B, is less important for the South Asia (Pakistan), as the distance from Pishin Road, Kurumb border to Bala Boland is 588km (8 hours drive), plus the bridge distance 75km. it will connect the South Asian or Pakistan to Middle East in 09 hours, for Iran the plan is on priority No.1, because the distance is only 75 km. The relationship of Iran with the other Middle Eastern Countries is fair, due to many issues & reasons but relationship with Oman has a tradition of cooperation dating back to the Shah of Iran’s regime. Iran has total US$ 934,633 trade with Middle Eastern Countries, which indicates good trade relation. The relationship may further be boosted with construction of the Cross-sea Bridge or Undersea Tunnel.
Plan-C, is the best route for Iran because it has only 55km distance to connect Oman, but the Island is about 25km far from Port city of Bandar Abbas as well as to connect the Khammasi Island two mini bridges from City of Bandar Abbas to Qishem Island and then Qishem Island to Khammasi is to be built which will increase the distance as well as cost, the total distance will be then 80km, thus it is not suitable for Iran, as well as, this plan is very far and has no value for the South Asian Countries. However, beside the shortest distance of bridge, the plan is on priority No.2 for Iran. As this is a chokepoint and there also located many tiny islands, in the way of the proposed plan in Strait of Hormuz, which are the major hurdles for ship traffic. So the bridge is not suitable here, only Undersea Tunnel can be built.
King Fahd Causeway - between Saudi Arabia & Bahrian |
The proposed plan will be built on “Joint Venture”, as the development budget of Pakistan & Oman is 16 Billion (for 2010-2011) & for Iran & Oman is 25 Billion, so Budget for development purposes is available enough to meet the estimated expenditure of the plan on the basis of year to year work. As it is one time investment, the gain from the bridge or undersea tunnel will return the investment in a very short time, due to its strategic position. Since King Fahd Causeway, (link between Saudi Arabia & Bahrain), enjoy the friendship & profitability from the causeway, as upto 60000 vehicles using the causeway only on weekends & 45000 on weekdays. Moreover, other same development projects are also planned & under consideration, such as Qatar-Bahrian Causeway (Planned to be completed in 2015), (this will reduce time of travel from 5 hour via Saudia Arabia to about 30 minutes only), and UAE-Qatar Causeway (proposed plan), (From Abu Dhabi to Doha, it will complete distance between two destination in 4 hours instead of 12 hours from desert via Saudia Arabia).
Qatar - Bahrain Causeway (Planned) |
UAE - Qatar Causeway (Proposed) |
After all, Weather condition along the plans sides are fine, only a cyclone Gonu, once hit Muscat in 2007, which is a natural disaster, but no any other noticeable incident has been found in last century (which is a positive indication). However, many facts & figure in this regard has been collected & compiled in the project (complete project is available), in that, the suitability, affordability & profitability is much high as compare to present day situation the plan will have a great positive impact on the nations across the sea.