The passenger traffic of Pakistan Railways (PR) increased by 9.1 percent during July-March, this year, whereas freight traffic declined by over seven percent in this period due to transportation of oil through pipeline.
The positive growth trend for five consecutive years (2000-2005) can be attributed to the wide range of improvements made by the PR due to completion of a number of development projects and right direction in policy making toward the modernisation of the railway.
According to Economic Survey 2005-06, during the period of 1995-2006, the share of railways, both in respect to passenger traffic and freight traffic has declined from 10.9 to 9.9 percent and from six percent to 3.9 percent, respectively.
However, the railway has shown good performance since 2000-01 in respect of passenger and freight traffic. During the last five years (2000-2005), the PR has been showing an increasing trend in both passenger and freight traffic, registering an average increase of 5.6 percent and 8.3 percent per annum, respectively.
A positive growth of 5.2 percent and 3.6 percent has been recorded in passenger traffic and freight traffic, respectively during 2004-05. In addition, the PR has improved the quality of services, timeliness and cleanliness. Since 2000, the PR has launched a modernisation programme with rehabilitation and improved measures both for its infrastructure and rolling stock.
Modern railways are one of the major sectors within the transport chain system and being the most effective transport system, Pakistan Railways plays a vital role in generating development opportunities.
Railway has a definite and unmatchable edge over road for long and bulk haulage and mass scale traffic volume being safe, pollution free, environmental friendly and most economical as compared to any other mode of transportation.
Railway plans to achieve a stage of net profit from the year 2010. The emphasis would be to increase the share of freight traffic for railway sector from existing 5.53 billion-tonne kilometres to 10 billion-tonne kilometres by 2010.
In addition to this, the procurement of diesel and electric locomotives, as well as high capacity, high-speed freight wagons and passenger coaches have been planned.
The improvement and provision of connectivity to Iran and India, the upcoming Gwadar Port to Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have also been initiated.
Moreover, the government has planned to convert Pakistan Railways into a state owned corporation beside conversion of all non-core units into companies and autonomous bodies.
At present, the network of railways has international connections to India and Iran, with great plans to improve its position as a transport provider. For a start, the feasibility studies for construction of Chaman to Kandhar (107-km) have been completed and the one for Kandhar to Khushka (Turkmenistan) has also been planned.
However, at the same time, construction work on railway track from Chaman to Spingbuldak will be executed in the first phase.
The major development schemes in this regard, include the manufacturing and import of 18 locomotives (8 SKD & 10 CKD) and 38 passenger coaches in Risalpur, the decommissioning of 28 locomotives, procurement of 130 high sided and 64 covered freight wagons from China. Lastly, the manufacturing of 150 freight wagons locally.
In addition, 80 passenger coaches will be rehabilitated and 78km track will be doubled on Lodhran-Khanewal section.
The work of doubling of track on Khanewal-Raiwind has been started during the current year. Track renewal of 115 km and 290 km of sleepers, have been considered for the main line from Karachi-Khanpur.
Various other schemes include the replacement of broken down cranes, the strengthening of bridges, an underpass in Renala Khurd and completion of the Sangla Hill.
The rail link of Mirpurkhas-Khokhrapar has also been converted from metre gauge to broad gauge and is open for traffic to India. The development project has overall contributed to a 21.8 percent rise in the income of PR.
The income of PR stood at Rs 17.8 billion during 2004-05 as compared to Rs 14.6 billion in the same period last year.
Comments
Comments are closed.