Railway Minister Mian Shamim Haider, while inaugurating the first 'access to track' conference here on Monday, has said the basic objective of holding this moot is to involve the private sector for improving the existing system of the railways.
Speaking at the first session of the conference, he said the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways (PR) the private investor is being invited to run its freight and passenger trains on railway track.
The minister said that railways would give its track on lease to private investors upon which they could bring their own rolling-stock. The track would be given on 20-year lease and this period could be extended seeing its success.
He said the conference is being held in order to pen down the details of the policy by incorporating ideas, suggestions and reservations of the private sector during this consultative process.
Later, talking to newsmen, Mian Shamim Haider said there are more chances of coming in of private sector in the freight sector. By introducing this policy, the private sector would bring its own rolling-stock; wagons and locomotive reducing burden on the railways. This model was being practised in Europe while railways would facilitate in shape of infrastructure, he added.
Replying to a question about Khokarapar-Monabao rail link, he said the work is under way at a swift pace. He hoped that it would be completed by December 31, and if it happens, it would be a record in railway world history that a 135-km-long track was laid down in just eight months.
The minister said that December 11 to 14 were the dates conveyed to Indian Railway authorities for holding dialogues to finalise the arrangements for running train on this section. However, no confirmation has been received in this regard.
He said that talks to be held in Delhi would finalise matters pertaining to launching of this service and provision of facilities like immigration and customs to the passengers.
To another query about any raise in railway fares, he said that fares would not be increased but fuel surcharge would be levied.
The minister said that PR was already suffering a loss of Rs 30 million to 50 million due to high diesel prices. However, he said that it would a nominal surcharge not applicable to distance up to 50-km. He said that this surcharge would be six to seven percent.
PR General Manager (operations) Saleem-ur-Rehman Akhund, PR Additional General Manager (freight) Ali Arif, PR AGM (passenger) Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Jadoon, AGM (Infrastructure) Imtiaz-ul-Haq and Director Operations Nasir Zaidi spoke on the occasion and highlighted various projects like doubling of track, import of new wagons and others were also highlighted.
During the second session, the participants from different companies raised different questions and expressed their reservation on privatisation process.
They raised issues like insurance of goods, maintenance, application of railway act on private train operators, change in the tariff and other such issues. Director Operations Railways Nasir Zaidi replied to these questions.
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