Railway upgrades: New porter system on the cards, says railways minister

The minister said Karakoram Express was the first train being upgraded

LAHORE:

“The Pakistan Railways will soon adopt a modern porter system,” Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Saturday.

He was talking to newsmen at Railway Headquarters.

The minister said uniforms for porters would be changed and shelters would be built for them.

“Currently, there are no medical facilities or sitting areas for porters,” he said.

He said a decision had been made to introduce reforms, adding the contract system must be abolished.

He said Karakoram Express was the first train being upgraded.

He said new facilities had been added to the economy and business coaches of Karakoram Express.

“We have installed new seat covers, provided WiFi facility, a public address system and much more,” Rafique said.

He said Karakoram Express would be made operational by November 30.

“After this, Business Express will be rebranded and launched under a fresh marketing strategy,” he said. He said the train would become operational at the end of the year. The minister said Karachi Express was also being revamped.

“In the last four months, the PR has earned over Rs10 billion which is the highest revenue we have earned over a similar period,” he added.

He said that a five per cent deduction had been made from salaries of PR staff for maintenance.

“Through this, the ministry was able to recover Rs 160 million,” he said.

“Now, we are ready to spend at least Rs300 million on maintenance,” he said.

Rafique said he hoped that a new service structure for the railways would be introduced soon.  “Extensive deliberations are being held for a labour package,” he said.  To a question, the minister said those responsible for corruption should be arrested. He said action was being taken against corrupt workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2015.