ISLAMABAD, March 21: Pakistan Railways (PR) intends to establish rail link between Quetta and Gwadar at a cost of Rs40 billion. This was disclosed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Railways (Communication and Railways), which met in the Parliament House here on Monday under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha. The meeting was informed that the railway track between Quetta and Zahidan would also be improved. The committee members were of the view that Pakistan Railways was their national asset and all out steps must be taken to transform it into a viable customer-oriented organization.

The committee reviewed the progress made on its earlier recommendations. It was informed that currently there were 186 katchi abadis spread over 1,270 acres on railway network all over the country.

The committee, expressing its concern over the provision of incomplete date on katchi abadis in Balochistan, sought a comprehensive report from the railways authorities, indicating the location of all such settlements in all provinces. The railways ministry was directed to point out difficulties, if any, in reclaiming encroached railways land from the illegal occupants throughout the country.

The committee chairman also directed the railways authorities to sort out ways to handle the katchi abadis issue in Lahore as it needed immediate redressal. Railways Minister Mian Shamim Haider assured the committee that all out efforts would be made to transform railways into a profit-oriented organization.

The committee was also informed that a feasibility report would be prepared to launch railway service between Bostan-Zhob- Dera Ismail Khan/Bhakhar to facilitate the passengers and businessmen alike as it would reduce the distance by 250km, fetching PR huge income.

Regarding the auction of railways land, the members of the committee suggested that a systemic process should be adopted through categorization of PR-owned lands on commercial, domestic and agriculture basis.