Government's inefficiency in improving infrastructure of Pakistan Railways and purchasing new locomotives along with replacing outdated tracks are the main reasons behind Pakistan Railways' (PR) deficit and poor performance. This was stated by Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways while addressing a press conference here on Friday.
"PR is confronted with so many issues which needed one-window operation to overcome the problems," said Bilour, adding that due to financial crunch PR has failed to purchase new locomotives and high speed wagons. He said that 122 locomotives were purchased in 1990 and after twenty years 30 locomotives are lying out of order, but their number has not been increased.
Bilour lamented that PC-1 for 75 locomotives was prepared in 2000 but after ten years no practical shape has been given to the project. Bilour further said that only 9 trains are available for 2200 wagons between Rawalpindi and Karachi due to which loaded wagons waits for 25 to 30 days for their turn.
He said that due to absence of double track most of the trains are late creating problems for the public. Due to weak infrastructure trains are plying with a speed of only 25 km forcing the people to prefer buses and other services. He said that corruption is also one of the reasons behind the PR deficit but efforts are underway to control it. Bilour revealed that Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) have expressed their keen interest for Public Private Partnership (PPP) with PR for its up-gradation.
He said that PR is ready to privatise the national entity and advertise for ticketing but only three parties participated which offered lower rates. Bilour further said that there are 2382 unmanned crossing on the railway tracks against 1433 manned crossing due to which most of the accidents took place. He said that PR is considering purchasing locomotives and highspeed wagons from China to overcome the current horrific situation.