The earnings of Pakistan Railways have registered a massive decline in 2010-11 as compared to the 2009-10, Economic Survey 2010-11 revealed. According to the survey, during 2010-11, Pakistan Railways earning stood at Rs 13060 million against Rs 22,269 million in 2009-10 registering a decline of 19 percent.
Similarly, total passenger traffic remained at 9687 million in 2010-11 against 23,523 million in 2009-10 registering a decline of 17 percent, survey revealed. However, Pakistan Railways is planning to take some initiatives to compete effectively amid the fast growing transport sector of the country including procurement and manufacturing of 202 coaches out of which 150 coaches will be manufactured in Pakistan Carriage Factory Islamabad.
Similarly 447 out of 500 completely knock down (CKD) wagons received from China will be manufactured in Pakistan Railways workshop in Moghalpura this year under the project for Procurement/ Manufacture of 530 High Capacity Wagons.
Rehabilitation of 400 old coaches is underway while 241 coaches are expected to be rehabilitated during the current financial year, besides doubling of tracks from Khanewal to Raiwind (246 km) and from Khanewal to Chichawatni, which are already opened for public traffic.
According to the survey, Pakistan Railways provides mode of transportation in the farthest corners of the country and brings them closer for business, sight seeing and education. It caters to large scale movement of people and freight. An effective railways system facilitates trade and reduce transportation cost in comparison to other means of transportation eventually promotes rural development and national integration among the commuters.