Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said that 180 more coaches would be manufactured in the Risalpur Locomotive Factory that would give impetus to the efforts for development of the railway sector.

Addressing a ceremony to mark overhauling of five locomotives in Risalpur Factory, the Railway Minister said railway was the mode of travelling for common people and played central role in socio-economic development of the country.

He said though the ML-1 project was signed 14 years ago but it had been on same position and no progress was made on the scheme from the day it was signed.

He said currently 69 engines were lying dysfunctional.

He said radical reforms in railway sector had got the organisation back on its feet, increasing number of passengers by record 10 million per annum.

He said effective measures had been taken for uplift of railway sector which had encouraged investment for the sector and as a result number of passengers was gradually increasing.

The Railway Minister said tenders of ML-1 project would be floated in March and added it would help speed up the railway system. He said temporary railway employees would be made permanent after the court vacated stay order, adding special quota would be allocated in new recruitment for sons of Shuhda, retired employees, widows and minority community.

He said he was serving passengers religiously, adding that workers were playing pivotal role in uplift of the railway and vowed to give one scale promotion to them.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan was taking tangible measure to overcome challenges the country was facing.