ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) is undertaking steps to increase its share in the overall transport sector from 4 per cent to 20pc, the economic survey 2014-15 said on Thursday.

The Ministry of Railways is in the process of preparing ‘Railway Strategic Plan’ to operationalise the targets set in the ‘Vision 2025’ which would provide a long-term framework for railways development.

PR has a definite edge over road transport for long haul and mass-scale traffic movement, both for passenger and freight in addition to providing a safe, economical and environment friendly mode of transport.

In the outgoing fiscal year, PR rehabilitated around 90-kilometre besides doubling of 5km track of its network. It has added 56 passenger coaches and procured assembling material for 146 coaches.

At present, 175 locomotives are non-operational and are waiting for major repairs. Rehabilitation of 27 held up locomotives of 3,000 HP is being arranged through PSDP at a cost of Rs6.284 billion for which an agreement has been signed with M/S Electromotive Division USA. Out of 27 locomotives, 10 have been turned out for service.

Special repairs of 150 locomotives, to improve their reliability and performance, are also being carried out through PSDP at a cost of Rs5.005bn. So far 38 locomotives rolled out during 2013-14 and 39 have been turned out up to April 2015.

The survey noted, “The gross earning of PR has declined during the previous years due to over aged infrastructure and rolling stock, increase in fuel prices, escalation of dollar exchange rate and a subsidised railway fare led to an increase in expenditure for sustained train operations.”

Investment planning through a system approach rather than functioning in isolation is being pursued. The strategy is expected to bring significant improvement in near future.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2015

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