Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has planned to rebuild infrastructure from Karachi to Peshawar, as well as Main Line-I (ML-I), including track doubling from Lahore to Peshawar (462.20 Km).
According to an official from the ministry, the department plans to enhance speed up to 160 kilometres per hour in the project of upgrading ML-I under the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the official, the National Economic Council’s Executive Committee (ECNEC) has authorised a modified PC-I worth Rs. 9.851 billion. He further stated that the procurement of 230 passenger coaches and 820 High-Capacity Wagons under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) project was underway to boost train speed and assure fixed timetables.
According to the official, about 46 completely built-up (CBU) passenger coaches have already been purchased; the remaining 184 will be produced domestically and will have a top speed of 160 km/h.
He claimed that the project’s rolling stock would be able to travel at a speed of 160 km/h, compared to the department’s dedicated fleet of 55 diesel-electric locomotives with 4000–4500 HP, which can transport more freight at higher speeds.
“The installation of a Computer Based Interlocking (CBI) system on 48 stations on the ML-I to improve signaling and interlocking for higher train speed and safety,” the official added.
Pakistan Railways; a big organization
In response to a question, he stated that Pakistan Railways was a large corporation with over 63000 employees and a network that stretched across the country. The representative said that a comprehensive network of hospitals, dispensaries, and child healthcare institutions ensured the welfare of the staff members through a variety of welfare programmes.
He said that these facilities included the supply of government housing based on eligibility and priority list, staff benevolent funds, and advantages and benefits offered to the families of deceased employees through the Prime Minister’s Family Assistance Package programme.
Among the other facilities were the development of primary and secondary schools, industrial schools to teach handicrafts, sports activities, pick-up and drop-off facilities for schools and offices, water filtering plants, a special provision of five medical seats in Riphah Islamic Universities with a 50% reduction in admission and tuition, and monthly payments to widows on a payment plan.
