ISLAMABAD: Railways ministry on Thursday informed the National Assembly (NA) that the installation of a tracking system is in the final stages for the strict monitoring of trains’ movement and fuel expenditure.
In a written reply in NA, the ministry said that Pakistan Railways (PR) has overcome its losses due to better financial discipline, strict monitoring system and austerity measures.
“All-out efforts are being made to explore new avenues of business to maximise its revenue. PR has earned Rs1367.038 million up to October 20 which is more than its revenue in previous years,” the ministry said.
“A total number of 10 passenger trains will be introduced during 100 days. At present, an average of nine to 10 freight trains are being operated from the port as compared to one train a day in the year 2013,” the ministry added.
PR entered into an agreement with Pakistan Freight Transportation Co for the transportation of 12,000 MTs of coal per day. Five coal trains supply coal to Fired Power Plant in Sahiwal daily. PR also entered into an agreement with Pakistan State Oil for the transportation of 200,000 million tons of petroleum products per annum from Karachi to up-country destinations. Under Public Private Partnership (PPP), PR outsourced commercial management of three trains, including Hazara Express, Fareed Express and Khushal Khan Khattak Express. Online e-ticketing was also introduced to facilitate travelling passengers at their doorsteps.
