Omar1984
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2008
- Messages
- 12,296
- Reaction score
- 0
IslamabadA ray of hope has emerged for Pakistan Railways after a Saudi Bank has consented to finance the project to replace decades-old signaling system, which plays an important role in the smooth, safe, efficient train operation and above all, protects trains from accidents.
Railways installed centralized traffic control and auto block systems in 1970 and 1993 on main line from Karachi to Kotri but most of the existing systems are very old and obsolete, an official of Pakistan Railways said.
We have signed an agreement with Consortium comprising M/s Bombardier Transportation, Sweden and China Railways Signal and Communications Corporation, said the official.
Expressing his views, Minister for Railways, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said, with the installation of modern signaling system, Pakistan Railways will enter into new era which will enhance the performance of the department in terms of safety and reliability for the passengers.
He said under the agreement, modern and electronic interlocking system would be installed on 23 stations from Bin Qasim to Mirpur Mathelo, especially, which were damaged in the incidents after the assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
After the agreement regarding tender for design, manufacture, supply installation and commissioning of the signaling systems on Bin Qasim to Mirpur Mathelo, in the second phase international tenders for design, manufacture, supply, installation and commissioning of modern signaling systems on Lodharan to Khanewal and Khanewal to Shahdara Bagh section are also under process. However, the official said the contract agreement will be finalized on availability of funds for which Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah has principally agreed to finance the project. The contract agreement will be signed after finalization of loan agreement.
Signal system helps to operate trains safely, enhances transportation efficiency and increases speed and line capacity. Modern systems such as Electronic Interlocking, Auto Block System, Centralized Traffic Control, Automatic Train Protection (ATP), Cab signaling are being excessively used by all the modern and developed railways of the world, the official said.APP