LAHORE: In a bid to reduce escalating expenditures and mitigate losses, Pakistan Railways (PR) is all set to shift its entire array of field formations, encompassing stations, offices, workshops and factories, to solar power.

In the first phase, the department plans to transition 99 formations, including major railway stations, nine divisional headquarters and various other important offices, to operate on solar power. This strategic move is projected to result in an estimated savings of Rs1.8 billion in the first phase alone. Subsequent phases will involve an increasing number of stations, offices, and related facilities.

On the other hand, due to the ongoing energy crisis and the surge in utility bills, the PR management has implemented a policy that prohibits its officers from using air-conditioning (AC) before 11am daily.

“We will shift the railway network on solar power on a priority basis, as we have appointed Nespak as our consultant in this regard,” PR Chairman Mazhar Ali Shah said while speaking at a meeting of the authorities concerned here on Thursday. “Shifting to solar in Phase 1, we will save Rs1.8bn,” he claimed.

Aims to cut expenses, imposes AC restrictions for officers, eyes savings of Rs1.8bn

The PR chairman mentioned that in the first phase, the authorities have designated 99 locations where a capacity of 33.326 megawatts would be established through solarisation.

He emphasised the project’s punctual completion, as any delays will not be tolerated.

“For a proper liaison, the PR and Nespak have also appointed focal persons,” he added.

Subsequently, the participants of the meeting were briefed over the track machine rehabilitation project.

Earlier, the chairman also held a meeting with the steering committees of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) project. The chairman advised the committees to ensure the registration of all machines, parts and other components within the ERP system. He also instructed the relevant officers to ensure the operation of ACs starting from 11am.

Later, PR CEO Shahid Aziz, while presiding over a meeting, imposed a ban on the use of ACs by all officers before 11am daily.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2023