Train passengers, PR staff to get insurance cover

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published February 8, 2015

LAHORE: For the first time, commuters and Pakistan Railways (PR) staff on board all trains will be travelling under an insurance cover.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the Pakistan Railways (PR) and the Postal Life Insurance (PLI) at the PR headquarters here on Saturday.

“Initially, there is a compensation of Rs800,000 on death of a passenger, Rs50,000 to Rs300,000 in case of an injury or disability,” the Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique, told newsmen after PR General Manager (Operations) Javed Anwar and PLI General Manager Nasir Hasan signed the pact.

The agreement will not only cover railway passengers holding a valid ticket but also railway employees either on duty or travelling on any train anywhere in the country, said the minister.

The insurance claim will be settled within 21 days while payment will be made in 45 days, he added.

The agreement shall remain in force for three years and could be extended for another two years, said the minister, adding that a life insurance plan for all railways employees was being worked out. “An agreement will be made with a company offering the best deal.”

Mr Rafique said the railways’ Public Sector Development Programme for 2015-16 would be finalised and forwarded to the National Assembly’s standing committee concerned by the end of the current month.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways and National Engineering Services Pakistan decided at a meeting to initiate work on the first phase of the project to upgrade and renovate five railway stations.

Published in Dawn February 8th , 2015

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abdul waheed mallah

Feb 08, 2015 08:13am

good initiative.......any charges included in ticket .....

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Hashim Khan

Feb 08, 2015 08:47am

What good is this paltry sum going to do anyone in case of God Forbid death or disability. They need to raise standards and then raise ticket costs to cover the upgrades service. People pay easily when they see the service.

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nazeer maznani

Feb 08, 2015 10:53am

@Hashim Khan

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nazeer maznani

Feb 08, 2015 10:55am

Rightly pointed out..instead of jumping towards insurance PR must seriously look into the improvement of standards.

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Mullah Deewana

Feb 08, 2015 11:33am

Pakistan should shut it's ailing British era Railway system which has become a national embarrassment. Even US doesn't has Railways.

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Faraz

Feb 08, 2015 12:07pm

Under Saad Rafique not only service standards have improved so has the frequency of trains and now insurance cover. PMLn is doing a good job, but fixing any institution will take time, especially when they are full of politically backed unions and hirings.

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public

Feb 08, 2015 12:58pm

We will remain innocent and fall for these cheap tricks so common with PML N and Saad is from this Party. He and his family of PR employees got 'few' benefits in the process. Media is bound to be Saad's nemesis.

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zaman tareen

Feb 08, 2015 01:07pm

khwaja in the Hands of Bureaucracy of the Railway ...... Railways Bureaucracy have the experience of britisher so how could expected from them...

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Feb 08, 2015 02:28pm

Who is going to underwrite these policies ? I see losses considering the terrorist concerns.

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Feb 08, 2015 02:34pm

Contrary to some respected readers, I differ. This is a great initiative. Currently there isn't any cover, but with insurance, there will be some.This is better than having nothing. My only question is that who will be the provider of this insurance and who is the reinsurance with ? The loss ratio on these policies would be significant.

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Khuram

Feb 08, 2015 02:47pm

It is good step but only insurance is not enough. Sense of security, comfort ness, good cleaning and many things are very important. I am proud Pakistani but I would ask Pakistan government to learn from India ar least in this case.

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SHIRAZ

Feb 08, 2015 04:49pm

Its a good initiative. Lets keep the rest of the things aside, masses will buy valid ticket knowing that it will give them cover hence as a consequence the valid ticket sales will increase. The insurance cover is a noble idea. Fatalities in railway accidents are not frequent. On top of it, KSR is doing a much better job as compared to GAB, who literally destroyed the Pakistan Railways. In a span of two years, we can see new engines, and they are good one and it is to update those who just read newspapers and form opinion without bothering if the news is valid. We can see many many new coaches being added to the rolling stock, new rakes for the trains, Karakoram, Business Express, Karachi, Awam, Tezro, Shalimar, Khyber and more have got new and better built and engineered coaches and rakes. Even old engines have been rebuilt and made operational, many GMU, HGMUs, EMDs are now working with prestigious trains in addition to AGE, DPUs and of course the newest ZCUs. The discontinued trains have started to run again, the freight trains, which have always been the revenue maker for railways, have started again and now they are working to renovate the stations too. They are all good omen. Railways should continue and flourish. They shall never stop or discontinue. They are life line of a country, be it war or peace. They are very very important for the unity and progress of a country.

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Riaz

Feb 08, 2015 07:15pm

First ever good step by Pakistan Railways, much appreciated.

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radhakrishna

Feb 08, 2015 08:33pm

Good move by Pakistan govt.Railway route is cheapest and Eco friendly compare to bus services ,also less prone to accidents .By improving safety and good service to the people this system can provide tremendous service to the public .But it all needs strong determination by the govt. Indian Railways has experimented by introducing Garib Rath trains to many parts of the country.Entire train bogeys are air conditioned with 2nd class sleeper coach .The fare for 500 km distance is just 300 Indian rupee and covers the distance in just 6 hrs with minimum stops .,in contrast bus fare for same distance is around 1000 rupee and travelling time is 12 hrs

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Anonymous

Feb 09, 2015 06:38pm

@Mullah Deewana US does have both passenger and freight rail services. Passenger service is called Amtrak and they have their website also. They have an extensive network. Whole of Europe including UK also have good rail services. Please check the facts first before posting.

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saeed

Feb 14, 2015 10:38am

when Pakistan Railway starting online tracking system (GPS) in Pakistan as in India.(railradar)

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