LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to introduce an online digitised fuel management system in a bid to control frequent complaints related to oil pilferage, especially diesel, allegedly on the part of the employees working in locomotive/engine sheds. The system will help the PR save millions of rupees, Dawn has learnt.

Caretaker minister for railways Shahid Ashraf Tarar, who presided over a meeting here on Friday, told officials concerned to stop the fuel pilferage by all means.

The minister was of the view to accelerate the process to shift the railways network to solar power in a bid to reduce power supply-related expenditures.Mr Tarar directed PR Quetta Division chief to complete track restoration work on the Quetta-Sibbi-Harnai sections by Sept 30. He was also of the view that work to open outdoor services at the PR Karens Hospital for the general public in Lahore should be done at the earliest.

PR’s train operations consist of several passenger and freight trains consuming up to 350,000 litres of diesel daily. “The annual oil expenses range between Rs3 to Rs4 billion per annum. According to an official, diesel theft is causing millions of rupees loss to cash-starved PR which struggles to pay salaries and pension.

He said the online digitised fuel management system will help railway officers to know about exact use of the fuel (filling of engine tanks and other kind of usage), available stocks, demand, supply, per litre average etc on a daily basis. “The system can be monitored well by the PR’s headquarters and the divisional formations,” he added.

He said the PR was also working on a proposal to introduce similar system to control stealing of the scrap and other material.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2023