LAHORE, Oct 19: A new department of research and development (R&D) has been established in the Pakistan Railways to analyze and suggest solutions to problems being faced by various departments of the organization.

Federal Minister for Railways Javed Ashraf Qazi issued orders in this regard during a high-level meeting at the Railways headquarters here on Saturday.

Research cells are already functioning in various railway departments. Under the minister’s orders, these cells will be consolidated and the experts and funds will be diverted to the new department to get a better performance, PR officials say.

The task-oriented R&D department will coordinate with the private sector to locally develop parts and other equipments needed by the organization but are currently being imported at a high prices, they say.

Mr Qazi also directed the authorities concerned that the surplus high officials at the headquarters be sent to the field where there was dearth of staff.

The minister directed all divisional superintendents to fill up the low-grade technical vacancies rendered vacant due to introduction of right sizing in its various departments.

He said computer literacy be declared must for the officials getting training at Walton Training Academy. He urged the information technology director to speed up computerization of the railways.