Pakistan Railways: News & Updates

[black-hawk_101]

When its going to be privatized 100%.

 

[Qalandari]

But what is happening

 

[Edevelop]

132 locomotives made operational to improve PR performance

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has made operational around 132 D.E locomotives during last seven months to improve its performance by enhancing number of freight and passenger trains.
As per details, of the total five locomotives were rehabilitated, 22 specially repaired, 30 new locomotives were inducted while 75 locomotives were overhauled during the period.

Sources at Pakistan Railways on Monday said at present the total number of operational DE locomotives is 253 while around 189 number of DE Locomotives are non-operational.

The sources said the Gross Earning of the department has been increased by 32.76pc and Working Expenses increased by 13.89pc during 2014.

The deficit/shortfall has witnessed increase by 2.71pc as compared to figures of corresponding period of 2012-13.

The main reasons for deficit are non-availability of locomotives, passenger coaches and rolling stock resulting in decrease of freight and passenger trains.

The other reasons are increase in salary and pension of employees as per government orders, increase in prices of fuel in the past i.e. HSD Oil, electricity and general inflation in previous years and increase in over head charges due to Idle Labour and non-availability of material in Railway Workshops due to financial crunch.

With regard to steps being taken for making Pakistan Railways a profitable organization, the sources said the department has involved private parties in commercial management of four passenger carrying trains and cargo express train.

Right mix of passenger and freight trains, the sources said and added a Freight Transport Company is being established to give top priority to freight transportation for generating revenues.

The other measures being adopted are control over expenditure through computerized payments and pension to eliminate ghost pensioners and rule out possibility of over payments, procurement of new Bogie Oil Tank Wagons and procurement of new state of the art locomotives.

The terminal facilities are also being augmented to curtail loading/un-loading time by introducing modern facilities while Pakistan Railways is in process of up-gradation of its existing tracks on main corridor with collaboration of China.

Existing speed of trains from Karachi to Lahore would be increased upto 160 kms per hour and from Lahore to Peshawar upto 120 km per hour.

Another step is doubling of track from Shahdara Bagh to Lalamusa and improvement of Signaling System on Lodhran - Khanpur - Kotri section and provision of Centralized Traffic Control on Shahdara Bagh -Lodhran section.

Efforts are also on to connect Gwadar port with Railway network and establishment of a new Dry Port at Havelian.

Pakistan Railways is also trying to introduce E-Governance in Pakistan Railways while Vigilance Cell has been re-activated to curb pilferages.

132 locomotives made operational to improve PR performance

 

[Edevelop]

Railways lease out 1,556 acres in two years

Pakistan Railways has leased out 1,556 acre of land in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, through fair and transparent methods during the last two years, to earn more revenue.

Pakistan Railways has collected an amount of Rs. 366.58 million from the leases so far, an official in the Ministry of Railways said. The land was leased out though advertisements in the newspapers to ensure transparency and through the auction process, he said. Valuation of land was being done by the Assessment Committee and Independent valuators, evaluation of bids and execution of agreements with the successful bidders, he informed.

The official said that a total 1198 acres land leased out in Punjab, in which 1139 acres was agricultural land and 58 acres was commercial. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 74, acres land was leased out in which 69 acres was agricultural land and four acres was commercial. In Sindh 276 acres was agricultural land and six acres was commercial. He said that Pakistan Railways also retrieved 57.60 canals commercial and residential land in Karachi from illegal occupants during the last year.

Railways lease out 1,556 acres in two years | Pakistan Today

 

[salman77]

Pakistan Railways inducts 15 new Chinese locomotives into its fleet

LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways has inducted 15 new locomotives into its fleet, taking the number of functional locomotives to 268.

These locomotives have been purchased from China.

A Pakistan Railways spokesperson said that the last consignment of locomotives has arrived, and that these newly inducted engines will specially be used for freight trains. The number of locomotives has been increased in order to facilitate traders and businessmen across the country.

These newly locomotives of 3,000 horse power will be used for passenger and cargo trains after completion of their trail period.

Pakistan bought 58 new locomotives of 2,000 horse power and 3,000 horse power from China in order to increase the number of passenger and cargo trains.

Pakistan Railways inducts 15 new Chinese locomotives into its fleet | Customs Today Newspaper

 

[Muhammad Omar]

• 20 new engines to be inducted in Pakistan Railways: Saad

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said twenty new engines will be inducted in Pakistan Railways to improve its performance.

He was talking to newsmen after inauguration of repaired and refurbished locomotives at Mughalpura in Lahore on Saturday.

He said that the PML(N) government is committed to convert Pakistan Railways into one of the best institutions of the country providing speedy and safe traveling facilities to the masses.

The Minister said black boxes have been installed in the railway engines.

To a question, Khawaja Saad Rafique said work is in progress to construct housing units for Railway employees.

• Shershah Railway Station to become multi-transportation hub

MULTAN: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has approved a proposal to develop Shershah Railway Station in Multan as multi-transportation hub to promote business activities in South Punjab.

Collector, Model Customs Collectorate Multan, Sarfraz Ahmad Waraich told APP here on Friday, that a proposal was sent to chairman FBR to allow loading and unloading of goods containers and their clearance at Shershah Railway Station to facilitate industrialists and firms in South Punjab.

He said that operations of cargo train from Karachi to Shershah Railway Station would not only increase revenue of South Punjab but also provide job opportunities to industry workers.

• New modern train between Islamabad-Karachi to be operated soon: Saad

LAHORE – Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has announced to operate a new state of the art superior fast train between Islamabad and Karachi from May of the current year.

Talking to journalist after inaugurating ten new modern power vans at Lahore Railway Station on Tuesday, he said that name, timings and composition of the new train would soon be finalised. He said that the PR was gradually and continuously progressing and induction of new power vans in the system was another step to progress with the efforts of PR workers and administration.

“Only 27 power vans were working when I took charge but now the number of the vans were 74 which will become 84 after March 31 with the induction of more 10 new power vans,” he added. The minister said operation of the power vans was part of the preparation of the upcoming summer season and now the passengers would not be bothered during the hot weather due to non-working of air-conditioners, lights and fans in the trains.

Expressing about the development in the freight operation, he said more than 80 locomotives were operational for freight sector, adding that not more than 7 to 8 locomotives had been working for freight when the Pakistan Muslim League-N government took over the charge. The minister said deduction of five percent was being made from the salaries of each employee for several years on name of development but it was first time the PR had allocated Rs 300 million in the Public Sector Development Programme for the construction of residences of the PR employees.

He said the PR administration had marked land for the construction of residential flats and apartments for the employees as the department could not afford big bungalows for staff while construction would soon be started. He said it was just beginning of colouring of the map and soon more developments would be made for the betterment of the department and its employees.

To a question about the PR police, he said that a summary of Rs one billion for several projects of the up-gradation of the PR police had been sent to the prime minister office for approval from which an amount of Rs 400 million had been sanctioned for equipments and training of the police. The minister stated the PR administration was working for raise in the salaries of the police staff and soon it would be made equal to the salaries of the provincial police.

He said that posts of 20 inspectors and 49 assistant sub-inspectors were being introduced which would be filled through the public service commission so that educated officers could be inducted in the PR police. He added that these officers would be posted in the sensitive police stations.


To another question about Youhanna Abad incident, he appreciated Muslim religious scholars and Christian leaders for their role after the incident and said that the incident was a failed effort to create distance between the followers of both religions. PR Police DIG headquarters Sharaq Jamal and DIG Operations Jawad Ahmad Dogar were also present.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/nationa...ated-soon-saad

• PR double track by April

PAKISTAN Railways has decided to allow traffic on the 36-km double-track from Habibabad to Bhoe Asal in the Lahore-Okara section with a speed limit of 120 km per hour

After this, the only closed track will be 42-km double-track from Okara Cantt to Habibabad in the Karachi-Shahdrah Section on which 90 percent progress has already been made.

The double-track from Karachi to Shahdrah is expected to be operational by the start of April.

Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Railways Muhammad Javaid Anwar monitored the Lahore-Okara Section of the double-track with the Federal Government Inspector of Railways Mian Muhammad Arshad and General Manager Infrastructure Ghazanfar Abbass including other officers and gave instructions regarding operation of the double-track to the staff.

Workshop: A workshop “Outcome Based Education and Assessment System of Accreditation” was held at University of Engineering and Technology (UET) on Thursday. According to a press release, Prof. Dr. Kai Sang LOCK from Institution of Engineers, Singapore, was the resource person for the workshop organised by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC).


Prof. Sang narrated the history of Outcome Based Education and said it had been implemented since 1980s with various forms at different levels of education systems from nursery/primary schools to postgraduate level.

• Public-private partnership: Railways earns Rs2.48b from Business Express

LAHORE: The joint venture between Pakistan Railways (PR) and Four Brothers Group for a privately-operated Pak-Business Express is proving to be profitable for PR as the state-owned corporation earned Rs2.48 billion in the first three years of the train’s operations.

The amount PR has earned is in the form of daily rentals, which were initially Rs3.2 million at 88% occupancy before being revised to Rs2.2 million at 65% occupancy ratio.

The management of Business Express, however, claimed that they have not earned substantial profits yet. However, the experience has taught them how to operate as they now gear up for bigger ventures in the future.

“The only thing we earned during this time is a brand name for our product — when anyone talks about public-private partnership in railways, they mean us,” said Pak-Business Express Director Operations Mian Shafqat while talking with The Express Tribune.

Since its inauguration, the venture has received substantial media attention for various reasons including the uneven 88:12 ratio in favour of PR.

The ratio means that PR pockets Rs88 from every Rs100 earned, while Pak-Business Express utilises the rest to meet expenses and generate profit.

On the other hand, PR’s role includes maintaining railway tracks, providing technical manpower to look after the train and fuel that costs Rs0.6 million per day for a round trip.

Realising the burden, the management at Business Express has taken corrective measures. “We realised the contract we signed initially was not providing us a level playing field — someone had to correct it. Thus, we’ve taken appropriate steps to keep this venture alive,” Shafqat added.

The struggle to revise down the occupancy ratio had created a major tussle between both stakeholders, as railways authorities claimed that this matter was not worth putting in the federal cabinet meeting.

However, PR tried to challenge the revised rates in different courts but was not successful. Within this time span, both parties have claimed outstanding dues. Railways is still calculating daily rentals at 88% occupancy, which according to them have crossed Rs1 billion.

On the other side, the Business Express management is claiming Rs160 million in the form of infrastructural development.

Shafqat claims that their maximum train occupancy goes to 62%. “If we talk about passenger ratios of developed economies, no country has reached 100% or even 80%. If the ratio crosses 50%, it means that you have reached the breakeven point,” he said.

“We have established a brand in Pakistan in and, despite the conflict, PR has earned Rs2.48 billion from us in three years,” he said.

 

[Edevelop]

 

[Muhammad Omar]

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Railways on high speed from Pindi to Karachi

Pakistan Railways has decided to launch new high speed 5 up trains from Rawalpindi to Karachi from April, 15.

Train will be allotted name before April, 10. 5 up and 6 down have been included in the schedule.

Railways sources said Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq had announced to run a new train from Rawalpindi to Karachi a few days back and Pakistan railways has made 5 up and 6 down part of new time table applicable from April, 15 in line with this announcement.

Railways on high speed from Pindi to Karachi | Pakistan Today

 

[uziuzair]

They should renovate Drigh Road station, Karachi. now mostly people (from gulshan,fb area, north, jauher) use DR station while coming to Karachi. when I used to go there 2,3 years back.. there were few people who leaves train at that station..... today I saw 2 trains..or takreeban 30-35% log utray (assuming fully loaded train)... If they give stop to UP trains too for 5-10 mins.. it will be more beneficial..

 

[Muhammad Omar]

They should renovate Drigh Road station, Karachi. now mostly people (from gulshan,fb area, north, jauher) use DR station while coming to Karachi. when I used to go there 2,3 years back.. there were few people who leaves train at that station..... today I saw 2 trains..or takreeban 30-35% log utray (assuming fully loaded train)... If they give stop to UP trains too for 5-10 mins.. it will be more beneficial..

Well Yeah many People are now using Drigh Road Startion Landhi and Cantt Station

 

[Muhammad Omar]

PR achieves milestone of 281 freight trains in March


LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has achieved a milestone by running 281 freight trains from Karachi to upcountry during the month of March.

According to PR spokesman on Tuesday, the PR loaded 11,130 wagons during the previous month after a break of long period within resources, half number of locomotives and lesser stock.

Moreover, the PR has earned an exemplary amount of Rs. 700 million during the third month of the current year.

It is pertinent to mention, the PR was operating average ten freight trains on daily basis from Karachi while the department is determined to raise the number up to 12 till the end of the year.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Pakistan Railways offers competitive freight rates to lessen deficit


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways offers competitive freight rates and revises them regularly to divert cargo traffic from road to rail to reduce deficit of the organisation.

In this regard, the Ministry of Railways is taking several steps. Freight trains are being increased to earn more revenue and tariff is being regularly revised to increase customers, an official in the ministry told APP.

The official said that availability of locomotives, through repair, in freight pool has increased up to 50 units a day, which has made it possible to start more than six freight trains daily from Karachi Port.

This strategy has increased the cumulative earning and Pakistan Railways is set to surpass revenue target of Rs 28 billion fixed by the government, he said.

The official said that Cargo Express Train between Karachi Bandar and Badami Bagh Lahore has been reintroduced from September 2014 to facilitate traders.

He said that induction of 10 leased locomotives from National Logistic Cell and 15 new locomotives would further enhance freight productivity.

A scarp policy to override corruption in the sale of scrap has since been introduced. Scrap will be sold out through open, advertised competitive bidding, supervised by a committee of principal officers to ensure transparency.

He said that latest commercial policy of identifying and bringing the loss-giving trains at break-even, and making low-profit trains more productive, is being introduced. This would further enhance the revenue generation, he said.

The official said that the latest land reclamation and evaluation policy would further enhance the revenue for Pakistan Railways.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Pakistan Railways to run fastest-ever train from Islamabad to Karachi


ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways had decided to run first ever fastest non stop passenger train from Islamabad to Karachi. Jinnah Express and Buraq are to be named in connection with this train service. It is hoped that new fastest nonstop train service will be launched under the name of Buraq Express. This service is likely to be launched on April, 30, 2015.

Sources said decision has been taken for launching the train on the model of Rajhdani express being run between New Delhi and capitals of Indian states and provinces. This train service will be launched from Islamabad, Margalla Railway Station to Karachi while Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq has accorded approval to run this train. Sources said that passengers’ coaches of this new fast train have been manufactured on Chinese style and the train will be fully air-conditioned. Its fare from Islamabad Margalla station to Karachi will be fixed at Rs 5000.

Sources also said that free-of-cost meal, breakfast and clean drinking water would be provided to the passengers. Bedding arrangements have also been made for the passengers who want to take rest. Train will consist of 11 passenger coaches. Lahore will be its first stop after Islamabad. The train will cover the distance between Islamabad and Karachi within 22 hours. All the preparations for launching this train have been finalized and it is likely to be launched from April 30.

 

[SHAMK9]

The train will cover the distance between Islamabad and Karachi within 22 hours. .

That's not fast