All trains to have a ‘new look’ in 2 years, says railways minister

Vows to upgrade passenger coaches and save ailing state-owned entity

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Saturday that all passenger coaches will be upgraded in the next two years as the state-owned entity looks to cut its losses and gain market share in the transport sector.

Addressing a meeting at the Pakistan Railways headquarters, he said that all trains would be modernised with Shalimar Express, Jafer Express and Pakistan Express undergoing a massive revamp.

He said that up-gradation work of Awami Express is in progress while Karakoram Express, Karachi Express and Business Express trains had already been equipped with additional facilities.

His views come as an ailing Railways looks to increase its revenue in the transport sector with competition coming from inter-city buses and domestic airlines.

“Restoration and progress of Railways is not possible without dedication and hard work of thousands of workers,” he added. He directed the committee concerned to speed up the restructuring work of Railways employees and said that he himself would monitor the process.

Meanwhile, the managing director freight transport gave a briefing on the transportation of coal to Sahiwal Coal Power Plant. In another meeting, the minister was briefed about the performance of new American locomotives and training of drivers.

The minister said that new locomotives were a future asset and needed to be well maintained. In a separate meeting, up-gradation of washing-lines and outsourcing of train cleanliness were discussed. PR CEO Javed Anwar, advisor Anjum Pervaiz and other senior officers attended the meetings.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2017.

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