Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to curtail 20 uneconomic trains and railway stations to reduce the deficit which has crossed an all time high of Rs 65 billion, informed sources in the Ministry of Pakistan Railways revealed to Business Recorder. "Railway's deficit has swelled to Rs 65 billion - Rs 40 billion local and Rs 25 billion foreign loans, sources revealed here on Monday.
When contacted, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways confirmed that PR has decided to curtail those uneconomic trains, which were only generating 10 to 15 percent revenue of their cost. "Proposals are under consideration to curtail 10 to 15 uneconomic trains, as Pakistan Railways is looking for ways to overcome the financial crisis and to improve the Railways standards", said Bilour, adding that PR was facing a deficit of around Rs 65 billion, which was increasing day by day forcing the ministry to curtail uneconomic trains.
The minister estimates that PR requires additional 288 locomotives, "at present PR has 122 locomotives, constant for the last twenty years, while 410 are needed." Bilour further said that only 9 trains are available for 2200 wagons (between Rawalpindi and Karachi) due to which loaded wagons have to wait for 25 to 30 days for their turn.
"Government's inefficiency in improving infrastructure of PR and purchasing new locomotives along with replacing outdated tracks are the main reasons behind PR deficit and poor performance", Bilour added.