Railways Minister Ghous Bux Khan Mehar has said the government is making efforts to construct railway track up to Gwadar by year 2007.
"The feasibility study is being completed to connect the under-construction Gwadar port with the main rail network," he told APP on Sunday.
He said the construction of this railway track would enhance performance of the port and accelerate movement of goods besides decreasing pressure on the roads.
About Quetta-Chaman railway line, he said, "we have sent the feasibility report to the Afghan government for approval and are waiting their reply for further action." Pakistan Railways, he said, has started 10 new passenger trains and as many freight trains adding, "we are also endeavouring to increase speed of passenger trains up to 120 kilometre per hour by 2007."
"New signalling system," he said, "is being imported so that train could run smoothly even in the fog season."
He pledged to bring the railways at international standard, and said, "new passenger coaches are being built in Pakistan with the co-operation of China to improve passenger service."
Responding to a question, he said, "railways is planning to make use of its assets through public-private partnership to generate funds for speedy implementation of its improvement projects."
NEW TRACKS: The minister said: "New railways tracks are being laid while electric traction from Lodhran to Lala Musa would be completed."
"The upgradation of railway is going on and 100 new locomotives - 40 electric and 60 diesel - would be inducted to enhance performance of the railways," he said, adding, "the repairing of old and dilapidated track machines is being done locally resulting in saving a huge amount of foreign exchange."
He informed that a bridge-testing machine is being imported to ascertain conditions of railway bridges, adding, the Ravi and Chenab railway bridges are in bad conditions.
About construction of new railway stations, he said 10-12 new stations would be built while new buildings at Rohri and Khanewal would be completed by end of this year.
Responding to a question, he said that railways would be converted into a corporation by end of this year. "The preparations are in the final stage to make the railways a corporate entity aimed at further improving its performance and quality.
To another question, he said the government in collaboration with private sector would initiate mass trains projects in Karachi.
"A study in this regard is being carried out and shortly its report will be submitted," he added.
Stressing upon the need to run more short distance fast trains, he said, "there is a proposal to increase speed of trains plying on various routes up to 120 kilometres per hour.
Ghous Bux Mehar said in a bid to check railway accidents, underground passages will be constructed at various points.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY: He said: "There are foreign investments opportunities in the railway sector, particularly in the replacement of railway tracks, purchase of new diesel locomotives, freight wagons and passenger coaches."
He said computerised ticketing system has been introduced to curtail sale of tickets in black.
Now passengers could get return tickets without visiting or inquiring for seat reservation from Karachi, Lahore or Rawalpindi reservations offices, he added.
This system has been introduced at 10 major railway stations of the country, including Lahore, Karachi, Sukkur, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Multan. This system will be introduced in Sahiwal, Hyderabad, Ghotki and Kasur very soon, he added.
The minister said: "The marketing department of the railways is relatively weaker, which is being improved."
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