Several steps are being taken to overcome present crisis-like situation being faced by Pakistan Railways,a source in Ministry of Railways told APP on Friday.
The source said that Railway Administration’s strategy includes repair and maintenance of existing locomotives and procurement of new locomotives through revenue/PSDP budget, bank loans, as well as, private sector participation.
Pakistan Railways, he said, is making efforts to get sufficient funds from the Government for rehabilitation of required locomotives, rolling stock, and purchase of spares parts and fuel etc.
The source informed that Pakistan Railways is inviting private sector to participate in different activities of P.R i.e rehabilitation of aging locomotives, development of Dry Ports and commercial Management of Passenger trains etc.
He said that at operational level, steps are being taken to control the deficit and the initiative of ECO train has been taken to capitalize through establishing international linkages.
New agreement with Pakistan State Oil has been done for uninterrupted supply of fuel and three trains (Shalimar, Rohi and Hazara Express) have been outsourced while a new train (Business Express) has been launched as a joint venture with the private sector. Moreover efforts are underway to outsource additional trains, and efforts are being made to recover outstanding amount due from other departments/companies.
New signaling system is being installed on the network to minimize detentions and saving in fuel expenditure.
The management is reaching out to the private sector to utilize idle capacity in the Railway system through the Track Access Policy.
Rail fares on both freight and passenger sides have been increased although much less than proportionately, to recover some of the costs from increase in the prices of petroleum and petroleum products, he added.
