Federal government has allocated a sum of Rs 9 billion for the annual development programme (ADP) of Pakistan Railways (PR) against the demand of Rs 13 billion.
This was stated by Chairman of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Railways, Sardar Tufail Ahmad Khan while talking to newsmen after inaugurating the 'Summer Vacation Special' train here on Tuesday. General Manager (Operations) Aurangzeb Khan was also present on this occasion.
To a question, he said that PR was paying Rs 2 billion per annum as interest on internal and external loans. Every possible step would be taken to improve the performance and financial health of the organisation, he added.
He said that Pakistan Railways (PR) was paying Rs 725 million per annum as electricity bill to Wapda. He added that railways had to bear additional burden of Rs 1.8 billion due to hike in fuel price and increase in salaries and pensions of employees. Out of this, burden of Rs 400 million had been shifted on to passengers in shape of increased fares.
To a query, he said that notified Katchi Abadis could not be demolished but nobody would be allowed to construct encroachment on railway land. He said that the standing committee had observed that present performance of this organisation was better than the past. He said that setting up of a vigilance cell had benefited this organisation.