Pakistan Railways has planned to add 500 new engines in its fleet within the next ten years to fulfill the requirements of the department, it was revealed on Tuesday.
According to details, many companies are interested in securing the order for the new engines. Pakistan Railways has placed an order for 55 engines with an American company in order to comply with the urgent needs. Pakistan Railways has also inked an agreement with Turk Railways for repair and reinstallation of cargo trains.
Pakistan Railway’s deficit decreased from Rs 32 billion rupees to 27 billion rupees during the fiscal year 2014-15.
A double railway track from Lodhran to Raiwind was jointly inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique in Lahore.
The project was started in 2003 and completed in three phases. Now the main line double railway track has been completed from Karachi to Lahore.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said that transparency and merit is being ensured in Pakistan Railways.
He said that there is no interference in the working of Pakistan Railways and that deficit is being lowered by Rs 3 billion annually.
Rafique said that railways labour benefit package would be announced soon.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that various sectors including Pakistan Railways have shown considerable improvement during the tenure of the incumbent government.
He said that the government was focusing on projects related to infrastructure and energy.
He said that Punjab government had paid a total of Rs 55 billion from its share to other provinces under the NFC Award to accelerate development activities there.