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KARACHI: Pakistan Railways has begun work on a Rs300 billion upgradation project of the existing railway track between Karachi and Peshawar, said Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Wednesday.
“The ministry is in talks with about 40 companies and Turk investors for upgradation of the railway track system,” said the minister during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), accompanied by Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Kamran Michael.
The average speed of trains after the upgradation would increase to 120 km/hour from the present 92 km/hour, Rafique added. He said 25 locomotives are now available for freight service and supply of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has begun through rail cargo service. Further, he disclosed, around 58 locomotives from China would be imported next year and the government intended to allocate about 60 percent of the strength to freight services.
Further, referring to hindrances in Pakistan Railways’ plan for the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) with the financial and technical assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Rafique said a meeting with the Japanese ambassador was also held in this regard and it was informed that KCR would develop the project with or without Japanese assistance.
He, however, expressed displeasure over the low mark-up financing for KCR which was not utilised due to vested interests. The railways minister said that he would hold talks with the Sindh chief minister and other stakeholders in Karachi and KCR would be top of the agenda. He added that all political parties would be taken onboard for the removal of encroachment at the allocated location for KCR.
Rafique also discussed encroachment at Railways land, saying the matter would be contested in the courts. “Billionaires are involved in land encroachment,” he said, refusing to share further details due to litigation matters
He said were CNG stations were set up illegally and obtained 99-year leases on nominal prices with the help of government functionaries. The minister said 16 cases had been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for prosecution and the cases would be decided by the courts.
“By taking a few steps, including lowering the fares, the Railways could be able to generate additional revenue in the first quarter of current fiscal year. On the basis of present performance, the revenue for the current fiscal year is estimated at Rs25 billion against the given target of Rs21.6 billion. The minister rejected the proposal for a joint venture with National Logistic Company (NLC) to run freight trains. “We have no plan to make NLC partner,” he said.
He also said that the Railways would be able to turn a profit soon and there is no need for its privatisation. Further, he criticised the public-private partnership and said that the operators of business train were defaulters of Rs380 million.
Karachi-Peshawar railway track upgradation begins - thenews.com.pk
“The ministry is in talks with about 40 companies and Turk investors for upgradation of the railway track system,” said the minister during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), accompanied by Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Kamran Michael.
The average speed of trains after the upgradation would increase to 120 km/hour from the present 92 km/hour, Rafique added. He said 25 locomotives are now available for freight service and supply of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has begun through rail cargo service. Further, he disclosed, around 58 locomotives from China would be imported next year and the government intended to allocate about 60 percent of the strength to freight services.
Further, referring to hindrances in Pakistan Railways’ plan for the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) with the financial and technical assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Rafique said a meeting with the Japanese ambassador was also held in this regard and it was informed that KCR would develop the project with or without Japanese assistance.
He, however, expressed displeasure over the low mark-up financing for KCR which was not utilised due to vested interests. The railways minister said that he would hold talks with the Sindh chief minister and other stakeholders in Karachi and KCR would be top of the agenda. He added that all political parties would be taken onboard for the removal of encroachment at the allocated location for KCR.
Rafique also discussed encroachment at Railways land, saying the matter would be contested in the courts. “Billionaires are involved in land encroachment,” he said, refusing to share further details due to litigation matters
He said were CNG stations were set up illegally and obtained 99-year leases on nominal prices with the help of government functionaries. The minister said 16 cases had been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for prosecution and the cases would be decided by the courts.
“By taking a few steps, including lowering the fares, the Railways could be able to generate additional revenue in the first quarter of current fiscal year. On the basis of present performance, the revenue for the current fiscal year is estimated at Rs25 billion against the given target of Rs21.6 billion. The minister rejected the proposal for a joint venture with National Logistic Company (NLC) to run freight trains. “We have no plan to make NLC partner,” he said.
He also said that the Railways would be able to turn a profit soon and there is no need for its privatisation. Further, he criticised the public-private partnership and said that the operators of business train were defaulters of Rs380 million.
Karachi-Peshawar railway track upgradation begins - thenews.com.pk
