LAHORE, June 18: A sum of Rs6.922 billion has been allocated for the Railway Division in the budget for financial year 2002-2003 to complete 18 ongoing projects and undertake two new ones. The allocation includes a foreign exchange component of Rs3.891 billion.

Total cost of the projects is Rs48.12 billion, including a foreign exchange component of Rs27.79 billion. Out of this a sum of Rs16.395 billion was expected to be utilized by June 30.

The new projects include procurement of 300 high-capacity oil wagons at a cost of Rs1.006 billion with a Rs164 million allocation for the 2002-03 fiscal. The feasibility study of laying the Islam Kot-Mirpur Khas-Thar railway line will cost Rs10 million.

The ongoing projects include rehabilitation of the old and procurement of new locomotives, coaches and track, improvement and maintenance of signalling system, bridges and wagons.

For the rehabilitation of 101 diesel electric locomotives an amount of Rs215 million has been earmarked for the next fiscal. The total cost of the project is Rs7.834 billion. The expenditure so far has been Rs7.556 billion.

Rs11.291 billion suppliers’ credit was available from Austria, Islamic Development Bank and China for the rehabilitation of track. An amount of Rs511 million has been utilized so far from this allocation. A Rs3.49 million allocated has been made for the financial year 2002-03.

Out of the Rs5.27 billion available for the procurement of new locomotives, Rs516 million has been spent and Rs95 million earmarked for the next year.

The PR is procuring 69 locomotives from China — on suppliers’ credit — at a total cost of Rs11.151 billion. An amount of Rs806 million has been consumed. A sum of Rs1.11 billion has been allocated for the financial year 2002-03.

The procurement and manufacture of 175 coaches will cost Rs7.776 billion. The railway authorities have so for utilized only Rs77 million. The allocation for the next year is Rs1.583 billion.

A sum of Rs538 million has been utilized out of total Rs559 million allocated for the rehabilitation of 240 passenger coaches. The rest, about Rs21 million, has been allocated in the new budget. The modification of 320 tank wagons and maintenance of 680 wagons will cost Rs150 million. So far, an amount of Rs132 million has been given to the railway. Another Rs18 million will be provided this year.

For the recommissioning of 55 locomotives, Rs208 million has been apportioned this year. The total cost of the project is Rs879 million and the authorities. The authorities have so far used only Rs3 million.

An amount of Rs10 million has been earmarked for the installation and improvement of signalling system from Karachi to Rawalpindi this year. The total cost of the project is Rs32 million out of which Rs22 million has already been spent.

A sum of Rs15.3 million has been allocated for the improvement of telecommunication system. Most of it — Rs14.3 million — has been utilized and the rest — Rs1 million — been allocated for the next fiscal.

The Railways will be given Rs55 million for the strengthening and rehabilitation of its bridges. An amount of Rs58 million has already been spent out of the project cost of Rs155 million.

An amount of Rs35 million will be allocated for the procurement of plant and machinery for carriage and wagons shops. While Rs47 million will be provided by the World Bank under a separate arrangement.

The PR will spend Rs187 million on import air-brakes for 574 bogey-wagons out of Rs222 million earmarked for fitting these in the next fiscal. The total project cost is Rs327 million.

An amount of Rs3.5 million has been apportioned in the budget for the conversion of 20 single unit power vans into double units. The entire project will cost Rs90 million.

The allocation this year for the replacement of breakdown carriers, and procurement of relief train equipment is Rs104 million. The total project cost is Rs395 million. Another Rs43 million has been allocated for fitting roller bearings. Out of the total project cost of Rs764 million, Rs655 million has already been used.