LAHORE, Feb 12: Four officials of the Pakistan Railways have been held responsible for the derailment of a passenger train near Hyderabad in an inquiry conducted by three principal officers of the organisation.

Karachi Divisional Engineer-I Ibrahim Rajpat, Permanent Way Inspector Abdul Qadir and Assistant PWI Ali Gohar have been suspended from service while Hyderabad Assistant Engineer Muhammad Shah has been asked to show cause for his negligence, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said on Monday.

However, Rashid said the obsolete track was the real cause of the derailment of seven coaches of the Sialkot-bound Allama Iqbal Express. A comprehensive plan, he said, was under way to improve the track’s condition, replace signal system and obsolete rolling stock to ensure provision of more safe, comfortable and fast travel facilities to commuters.

The rehabilitation of 36 locomotives was in progress, he said and added that only high quality gadgets of international standard would he used for the purpose.

The railways signal system would be modernised in phases. President Musharraf himself was taking interest in railways and a decision had been taken to call fresh tenders for overhauling the signalling system. Two tenders had been awarded and more would be given soon for installation of a modern signalling system from Karachi to Peshawar.

Sheikh Rashid said it had also been decided that all railway high-ups, including the minister of state for railways, PR board chairman, general managers and additional general managers, would themselves inspect the tracks.

“I myself will monitor the inspection of tracks while all divisional superintendents will join the process in their respective areas three days a week.”

The minister said people had erected shops, schools and even play lands over the railway land near track illegally.

About the plan to clear railway lands of encroachments, he said a campaign was being launched through media to create awareness among the people regarding dangers and hazards of living in close proximity to tracks.

However, he warned the illegal occupants to voluntarily remove the encroachments otherwise force would be used.

“The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) did a wonderful job by helping the railways in keeping the tracks and nearby areas clear. They have educated the people, especially of Drig Colony and Malir, about not throwing garbage on and around the track. The chief ministers of Sindh, the NWFP and Punjab, besides the district governments will also be contacted for seeking their cooperation in this regard,” the minister said.

Sheikh Rashid was all praise for President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for taking keen interest in the railways.

The railway was also contemplating to replace broad gauge with the standard gauge on its entire network, as it was a prerequisite to meet international standards. However, the project would be taken in hand after a green signal from the government as a huge sum would be required for the purpose.

An agreement was signed on the occasion between the Pakistan Railways and the National Logistics Cell under which the latter would prepare in 60 days the feasibility for laying a new track between Sohawa and Deena that would ultimately reduce the journey between Rawalpindi and Lahore to two-and-a-half hours.

Lahore Project Director Col Rana Nasir Aziz inked the agreement on behalf of the NLC while General Manager (operations) Asad Saeed represented the railways.

The minister said he wanted the project to be completed on war-footing basis. Soon after completion of the feasibility study, tenders would he called and contract would be awarded to start work on the project.