Pakistan Railways has signed with consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation, Sweden and China Railways Signal and Communications Corporation, regarding tender for design, manufacture and supply installation and commissioning of the signaling systems on Bin Qasim to Mirpur Mathelo here on Monday.
Director Procurement of Railway Carriage Factory, Saeed Khan and Michael Thulin from Bombardier Transportation, Sweden signed the papers for the installation of modern electronic interlocking system.
Federal Minister for Railways, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, expressed his satisfaction over the agreement and said that with the installation of modern signalling system, Pakistan Railways will enter into new era which will enhance the performance of Pakistan Railways in terms of safety and reliability for the passengers.
Secretary/Chairman Railways, Sami Khilji while elaborating the details of the agreement, said that this modern and electronic interlocking system would be installed on 23rd stations from Bin Qasim to Mirpur Mathelo, especially, which were burnt and damaged in the result of assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He further said that to rehabilitate, rebuild and refurbish the damaged assets to present day international standards, an international tender for the design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of the signalling systems on Bin Qasim to Mirpur Mathelo Double Line Section of Pakistan Railways on turn key basis was opened on 30-08-2008. Bombardier Transportation, Sweden was declared successful after competitive bidding. The project is scheduled to be completed within 24 months, he added.
It may be recalled that in the 2nd phase international tenders for design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of modern signalling systems on Lodharan to Khanewal and Khanewal to Shahdara Bagh section are also under process. However, contract agreement will be finalised on the availability of funds for which Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah has principally agreed to finance the project.-PR