ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: The government has asked the Pakistan Railways to replace old, obsolete and over-aged operational system and rolling stock of the organisation to ensure higher safety standards.

Officials told Dawn on Monday that the president and the prime minister had been informed recently that due to the aging of essential equipments, the possibility of its malfunctioning could not be ruled out, which could result in "serious mishap".

Both the leaders called for enhancing efficiency and credibility of the system through continuous monitoring and control of train movements on all sections.

The railway authorities have been directed to minimise the involvement of human elements and ensure quick operation of the signalling system. They have been asked to increase the line capacity by providing a base for future installation of centralised traffic control and high-speed train operation on the double-line sector.

The president and PM have asked the railway authorities to minimise chances of accidents in case of human failure like overshooting by the driver.

The officials said that the operation of cabin interlocked mechanical signalling was very slow and time-consuming. At junctions and big stations, mechanical operation of signal gear is very cumbersome causing delays, especially in the case of crossing of trains. Similarly, impaired visibility of kerosene-lit semaphore signals during night compels drivers to check speed.

The federal government has promised to initially provide Rs4.1 billion to replace old equipment. Since the signalling equipment is not manufactured in Pakistan, it is expected to be imported along with the transfer of technology.

The programme will augment and supplement the doubling of track from Lodhran to Multan to Khanewal and from Khanewal to the Raiwind section. Track rehabilitation from Landhi to Khanpur is also being done to run the trains at 120km/hr and higher speed.

The president and the prime minister have been informed that in the freight sector, 1,300 high-capacity wagons are being introduced and another 1,000 such wagons would be procured.