September 07, 2006	Thursday	Sha'aban 13, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: The Pakistan Railways authorities live in the fear that malfunctioning of aging equipment could some day “result in a serious mishap”. Official sources said on Thursday that the ministry of railways has proposed a Rs4.1 billion plan to replace some of the equipment to ensure the safety of passengers and for efficient train operations in the country.

The World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) were said to be willing to offer Rs2.8 billion to cover the foreign exchange component of the plan which is expected to be completed in three years.

The cost of the project could increase with time according to the inflation in the market. “The safety of the travelling by public shall be at risk with the delay in the execution of the project,” the ministry of railways warned the Planning and Development Division while seeking early approval.

The division was informed that the signalling systems on Khanewal-Shahdara Bagh section were old and obsolete. Standard-III Mechanical signalling at the stations were provided before Pakistan’s Independence and Block signalling between stations was provided in 1969.

“The system has outlived its normal life and is in need of urgent replacement. Replacement of the entire system has become overdue and is envisaged to be done through the project.”

Doubling of track project is in progress on Khaniwal-Raiwind section. Existing signalling and block system could not cater for the equipment for double track. New signalling system needed to be urgently provided, the ministry of railway said.

Moreover, the existing system did not have advance feature like Automatic Train Protection (ATP). After a serious accident at Sarhad station on July 13, 2005, the federal government inspector had emphasized for the provision of the safety features.

Lahore, the ministry of railways maintained, was a very important station. Colour light signalling and All Relay Interlocking had been provided at the station in 1969. But due to fire in 1998, the system was badly damaged. It was restored through essential repairs but breakdown of the over aged system was feared. “In such an eventually, train operation in railway network will be badly jeopardized. The project envisages replacing the system in Lahore Yard with modern, new and trust worthy system.”

Under the plan, signalling system at Karachi-Shahdara Bagh has also been proposed to be replaced on priority to avoid any mishap. This will also cover replacement of signalling system at Rohri-Lodhran-Khaniwel section.