PR to procure 230 modern passenger coaches

Also invites tenders to procure 820 freight cars

In a bid to upgrade its system, the Pakistan Railway (PR) has decided to procure 230 modern high speed passenger coaches and has already issued a tender in this regard.

These 230 modern coaches will be procured in two phases. In the first phase, 46 coaches will be imported while in the second phase 184 coaches will be manufactured in the carriage factory Islamabad.

The 230 coaches will comprise 80 economy class coaches, 80 air-conditioned standard coaches, 30 parlour cars, 20 luggage vans and 20 brake vans.

“The Pakistan Railways is taking this step on the directives of the PTI government to meet its market needs and increase its business target,” said a press release issued to the media on Tuesday.

“The government has decided to take important steps for offering the latest travelling facilities to the passengers and turning the department into a profitable institution.”

The coaches will not only help to improve the travelling facilities but will also significantly contribute in generating revenues for the department which is the country’s biggest employer.

According to the statement, the department has also issued a tender to procure 820 freight cars.

Two hundred (200) of these freight cars will be imported while the remaining 620 will be manufactured using raw materials at the railway workshop.

In order to ensure transparency in inviting tenders, the railways earlier organized a seminar in which 69 delegates including government officers and representatives of multinational corporations took part.

“The Pakistan Railways contemplated on the recommendations presented in the seminar to ensure further transparency in the process of procurement,” the statement added.