Railways running out of oil stock

PSO fails supply oil to Pakistan Railways, Faisalabad Railway Station's stock reduced.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has not yet restored oil supply to the Pakistan Railways and oil from the Faisalabad Railway Station stock has been reduced.

Railway officials said that they were using the stock oil to keep passenger trains running but the supply was dwindling.  Due to the unavailability of oil to trains bound for Karachi and other cities, railway officials have said that the engine wheels are likely to jam and accidents could occur along the tracks.

According to railway officials, the Faisalabad dead stock of 86,000 litres of oil is currently remaining and officials are only allowing minimum oil supply for trains.

On Monday, Mullat Express, Pakistan Express and Super Express were provided fuel for the journey to Khanewal. According to railway officials, due to the usage of 500 to 1000 litres of oil in passenger trains the Faisalabad dead stock is likely to be used up within the next few days. Railway officials have urged the government to take steps to address the situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2011.