Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pakistan Railways, Aftab Akbar Monday informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Railways that the trains across the country are facing delays due to the inadequate computer-based interlocking system (CBIS).
The committee met here with MNA Muhammad Mueen Wattoo in the chair and was briefed by Aftab Akbar about the problems related to the computer-based interlocked system, which was introduced several years ago on the built-operate-transfer (BoT) basis and the department is going through some dispute with the contractor.
The meeting decided that minutes of the previous meetings will be confirmed by the committee on its next meeting whereas the Secretary Ministry of Railways Sikandar Sultan Raja gave detailed briefing on train-wise detail of increase in fare of all classes during the last eight months.
Sikandar Raja apprised the committee that details for paying taxes to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as well as petroleum levy to the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) will be shared with the committee in its next meeting.
He added that the ministry is in the process of reconciliation which will be done within 15 days. One member of the committee suggested of inviting secretary Petroleum Division and managing director PSO in its next meeting to resolve the issues. Another member suggested that the Railways Board should also be reconstituted and information be provided to the committee about the total railways commercial, agriculture and residential land lying in the country. Responding to the suggestions, the secretary railways apprised the committee that first of all the ministry will take the preventive measures on the land problems and issues then panel will be constituted to resolve the issues. It was decided to hold another meeting of the committee to discuss the matter in detail.
The committee suggested the Railways Ministry to include three members in the Railways Division to recruit TLA workers through computerised ballot by maintaining transparency. The committee also recommended summoning of chief secretary Punjab to resolve the issue of opening the railways level-crossing in Okara in the next meeting.
The CEO said that the PR could not do away with the project because the governments had spent billions of rupees on it. However, the PR had asked the consortium to cooperate and complete the project as soon as possible. He assured the committee that the PR would address the issue of delays in train schedules, adding that the department is taking several measures to facilitate the passengers.
Aftab Akbar said that the railways had increased its fare two times, first in December 2018 by 10 percent and second time in July this year by up to 8 percent, due to increase in the petroleum prices and dollar appreciation.
However, he categorically said that the PR has made no increase in trains fare for the passengers traveling up to 50 kilometers and the fare for the economy class has not been increased more than Rs 100.
Regarding the policy and criteria for launching of new trains, he said that the decision is taken on the railways minister's directives, keeping in view the demand and supply. The expected volume of passengers is also considered before launching new trains, he added.
Aftab Akbar said the road and rail network connectivity on ignored sections and areas has been compared and analysed.
New passenger trains have also been introduced on some sections to protect the railways' assets and facilitate the public at large by connecting various regions and provinces utilising existing infrastructure, rolling stock, crew and employees, he added.
Aftab Akbar said that the earning of newly-launched trains has been improved, adding that Mohenjo-Daro Express, Rohi Express and Shah Latif Express have been introduced to cater for the needs of the poor living in the remote areas of interior Sindh.
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