Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Thursday claimed to make the train network financially viable by overcoming the current financial deficit of Rs 42 billion in one year. "Proposals will be submitted to Prime Minister Imran Khan for bringing improvement in railways, as most of the trains require up-gradation," said the minister while talking to media persons after inspecting a newly furbished rake for the upcoming train to be run between Rawalpindi and Mianwali. Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate this train.
He further said Pakistan Railways (PR) with the help of China Railways will expand its existing network to reach the remote parts of the country. Expressing his full support for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, the railways minister said that no one is against it and announced to bring a revolution in Pakistan Railways with the help of China.
The minister further said that work on rail link between Quetta and the port city of Gwadar would be carried out with the aim to provide direct link between both the economically important stations. He further said that there is zero tolerance against corruption and all those found involved in this menace would be brought to book. If a few elements are involved in corrupt practice that does not translate that the entire organization is corrupt, he added.
The minister said that thousands of acres of PR land had been encroached upon. "We would appeal to Prime Minister Imran Khan to consider this matter so that the encroached land might be vacated from illegal occupancy." He said that recommendations would be moved forward for the up-gradation of the PR's rolling stock with the major aim to provide respectable and inexpensive mode of transportation to the masses. He said that PR would improve the condition of the economy class coaches till the advent of next summer.
He said that he would personally keep raiding different trains from time to time with major aim to keep vigil on the performance of the passenger and freight trains. He said that FWO has been contacted for construction of an alternate road between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The new road would be executed overhead the Nullah Leh to provide fast and signal-free link to the commuters between the twin cities.
He further said that FWO has also been approached to do away with the curves and turns on the track between Rawalpindi and Gujjar Khan. After completion of the project, he said, about 40 kilometers distance would be reduced between the two cities. He said two new trains are being put on the track shortly as the PR workers have refurbished their respective rakes within the shortest possible time of 20 days. He announced cash reward of Rs 5,000 for each of the 30 workers in recognition to their strenuous and laborious efforts for accomplishment of the project.
The minister said that special low fare train 'Rehman Baba Express' would be run for the poor. He further said that Wi-Fi service would be provided and trackers would be installed in all trains within 100 days so that the commuters and their families can track their movement.
He said that recommendations would be moved forward for the up-gradation of the PR's rolling stock with the major aim to provide respectable and inexpensive mode of transportation to the masses. Rashid Ahmad inspected a rake of Mianwali Rail Car at Rawalpindi Railway Station on Thursday. It will cover the section Rawalpindi-Kundian via Golra Sharif, Tarnol, Fateh Jang, Bisal and Jund. This train will consist of 7 economy classes, a power van and a luggage van.
It will provide passengers with upgraded seats, charging points, toilet and other facilities. This new train is economy class train with fare Rs 320 from Rawalpindi to Kundian and Rs 260 from Rawalpindi to Mianwali. Mianwali Rail Car will leave Rawalpindi at 6:00pm and will reach Kundian at 11:00pm. Further it will leave from Kundian at 7:00am and will reach Rawalpindi at 12:00pm. Railway administration will also provide 50% concession on the first day.
Meanwhile General Manager, China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) Wang Xiao Feng Thursday called on the railways minister where both sides discussed matters of mutual cooperation and the minister asked the general manager of CHEC to give concrete proposals for the development of Pakistan Railways, said a press release issued here. "Pakistan and China are enjoying cordial relations and all good proposals from CHEC will be welcomed," the minister added.
The CHEC showed interest in working with Pakistan Railways at Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis for construction of Inland Container Depot (dry port) at Marshalling Yard Pipri (MYP), and rehabilitation of railway lines in Karachi Port and MYP. The company also showed interest in use of railway network to operate shuttle freight trains to transport containers between Karachi Port and Marshalling Yard Pipri.
The meeting was also attended by Chairman Ministry of Railways Javed Anwar, Chief Executive Officer Aftab Akbar, Secretary Railway Board Farukh Taimur Ghilzai and Director General Technical Munawar Shah.