KARACHI: Pakistan Railways will add 281 new locomotives in phases in its fleet and the first batch of 55 new engines will arrive by December 2016.
An amount of Rs 14 billion has been earmarked for the purchase of engines in the budget for 2016-17, said Divisional Commercial Officer Pakistan Railway Karachi Nasir Nazir. Talking to APP, he said that 55 new engines will be used in freight trains.
Giving details, he said another 26 engines will be purchased in 2017-18 while 35 (4000 horse power) locomotives, 25 (3000 horse power) locomotives and 10 (2000 horse power) locomotives will be obtained in 2018-19 and the remaining engines will be added to the fleet till 2023-24.
Nasir Nazir further said that the repair of out of order locomotives is also underway. He informed that 183 old engines will be gradually phased out till 2019-20. The DCO pointed out that railway stations are being upgraded to provide better facilities to passengers.
In the first phase, the upgradation of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi railway stations has begun, he added. He said that due to the efforts by the Federal government passenger trains are following their arrival and departure schedules. Besides, he added, the government has announced a Ramzan package and passengers are benefiting from it.
Nasir Nazir informed that Khushhal Khan Express that goes to Dera Gazi Khan is also being upgraded, and for this purpose a new 95 kilometers track is being laid from Kotri to Dadu. He said that Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq is playing a significant role for the revival of Pakistan Railways.
