Report by Engineering Post
Pakistan Railways has approved a somewhat very ambitious investment plan exceeding Rs 31 billion for six major development schemes for rehabilitating and upgrading critical sections as part of its efforts to address its deep-rooted infrastructure weaknesses lingering for years together.
As per the information available from the official documents, the projects which aim at improving the track safety, increasing operational efficiency and restoring reliable passenger and freight services across the country will be implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of the Federal Government
Project -wise, track safety works on the Rohri-Khanpur section in Sukkur Division have been estimated to cost Rs 4.87 billion, while rehabilitation of the Tando Adam-Rohri section will cost about Rs 4.83 billion. Essential safety upgrades on the Keamari-Hyderabad section in Karachi Division were estimated to cost about Rs 5.4 billion.
Similarly, track safety works on the Khanewal-Shahdara section via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikupura, covering Multan and Lahore Divisions were estimated to cost Rs 6.3 billion. The Sher Shah-Kundian section in the Railways Multan Division will require an estimated amount of Rs 4.9 billion while rehabilitation of the Rohri-Sibi section in Sukkur Division was expected to cost Rs 5.49 billion.
The Railways officials were hopeful that the completion of these development projects will ease speed restrictions, reduce derailment risks and also significantly cut delays in trains operations, helping in restoring passenger confidence and improving freight investment across the country-wide network, if all goes well as planned and implemented.
