PESHAWAR, June 2: The Pakistan Locomotive Factory at Risalpur, Nowshera, is currently engaged in the rehabilitation of 48 engines,   which, after commissioning, are expected to facilitate travel and goods transportation throughout the country.

Fourteen locomotives of 3,000 horse power had been rehabilitated in the factory in 2000 and another six in 2001, while at present two locomotives are rolled out from the factory every month.

The rehabilitation of 48 locomotives is expected to be completed by 2003, according to a statement of the PR Divisional Superintendent, Peshawar, Syed Gulrez Hashmey, on Sunday.

The Pakistan Railways, which has already entered into an agreement with China for the purchase of diesel locomotives, would import about 15 new locomotives in duly manufactured condition, while 54 would be imported in semi-knocked down condition and would be assembled in Risalpur.

The project of rehabilitation and manufacturing of locomotives is estimated to cost Rs7,778 million.

It is hoped that the entire infrastructure would be in place by the end of 2002-2003, while the project of import as well as assembling is likely to be completed by 2005.

With the commissioning into service of 48 rehabilitated diesel locomotives and 69 new locomotives, the Pakistan Railways would be able to increase the number of passenger and freight trains and provide better facilities to the public.