Pakistan Railways on downward track


Express April 20, 2010

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Railways seems to be speeding on a downward track, with the deficit now touching the Rs30 billion  mark.


The company which provides transportation services to over 85 million passengers is on the verge of bankruptcy.


Analysts have claimed the authority is losing more than Rs3 million every hour. They said Pakistan Railway's share in transporting goods across the country has fallen to just four percent.


Despite tall claims by consecutive governments to improve the system, railway tracks are still equipped with ancient Victorian signals. The condition of the tracks is also dangerous, and passengers are not provided with even basic facilities like clean drinking water at any station.


Officials have revealed that Pakistan Railways has not provided maintenance funds to its workshops since the last 40 years. Analysts say corruption is also rampant in the system.


Top railway officials informed the National Assembly standing committee that half of the 8000 kilometers long railway track cannot be used.


General manager of Railways Ashfaq Khatak said 50 percent of the total railway income from fares is paid by passengers, while 31 percent from cargo. Khatak said the total deficit of railways has gone up to sixty-nine billion rupees in three months. He added, the railways is left with only 40 cargo and 220 passenger trains.


Out of these only 160 trains are in a condition to run on the tracks.

COMMENTS (2)

NAEEM QURESHI | 14 years ago | Reply In fact, it is a deep story. I had been working in the railways for 42 years and know the problems. Truth lies that government did not invest in the department. It was taken as an orphan or step son. Officials and officers, passengers, politicians, other government departments all looted the Railways and did not care its future. Now it is sinking vessel and even then we are taking away flash from the bones. Till we practice democracy in Pakistan we should not expect a betterment in any corner, department or agency.
Fayyaz Alam | 14 years ago | Reply These losses don't add up. A country where there are not enough trains or tracks AND trains are always jam packed, how it is possible to make a loss? In an over crowded country where infrastructure is at its minimum, Railway should never make a loss. Railway's losses are due to a combination of negligence, corruption and a lackadaisical attitude which is ever so present in almost every department. Help Anyone!!!
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