Land mafia occupies 55,000 acres of Railways land: National Assembly body informed

National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform was told that land mafia has occupied 55,00 acres of Pakistan Railways land out of total 1,67,000 acres. The Committee met with Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail in the chair at Parliament House on Thursday. The Committee discussed the procurement of 202 newly designed passenger carriages along with rehabilitation, up-gradation and conversion of 400 Coaches, establishment of FATA University and other items in the meeting.
While briefing the Committee about performance of Pakistan Railways, Director General (Mechanical) Railways Syed Munwar Shah told the Committee that Pakistan Railways has set Rs 30 billion revenue target for this financial year which has been achieved in first ten months. He said that we have achieved Rs 21 billion revenue target during the pervious year.
He said that at this stage ten freight (cargo) trains are operating from Karachi to other cities. He said that freight trains are running in profit while the passenger trains are not in profit. Answering to a question, he said that Pakistan Railways had reduced Rs 1.5 billion deficit while Rs 2.5 billion deficit would be decreased in on-going financial year. He said that a total of 274 locomotives out of 450 are in working condition while remaining are repaired. He said that there is requirement of 600 to 700 locomotives to make PR profitable and improve the efficiency of the national institution. He said that 80 % spare parts of railway engines and locomotives are being imported while 20 % manufactured in the country.
Answering to another question, he said that we are planning for the freight trains for the transport of coal for coal power plants in Punjab. He said that for this purpose as many as 35 locomotives would be operated while five locomotives will run daily from Karachi to Punjab. He said that 4500 horse power engines would be used for this purpose. He said that Rs 13 billion to Rs 14 billion revenue would be added per year for this service.
While briefing about the procurement of 202 newly designed passenger carriages, the official of Railway Ministry said that revised PC-1 of the project was approved by ECNEC on 15-01-2015 at a cost of Rs 5.2 billion. He said that balance 86 coaches of 24 power vans and 62 lower AC. He said that the cost of the project has increased from Rs 3.43 billion to Rs 5.2 billion for which has since been revised. He said that the project was to be funded through a loan extend by EXIM Bank China.
About the establishment of FATA University, the Committee expressed concern over the unnecessary delay in the establishment of FATA University and decided to take up the issue with Ministry of SAFRAN, FATA Secretariat and the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so that the construction work of the FATA University could be initiated without further delay.
Executive Director (Add.) of Higher Education Commission Mansoor Akbar Kundi told the Committee that of the project could not be move forward whenever the Vice Chancellor is not appointed. He said that the Govern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should appoint Vice Chancellor to start work on the project. He said that the project is trailing due to issue of appointment of project director, vice chancellor and possession of land.