‘Centre aims to restructure Pakistan Railways’
File photo of a Pakistan Railways train.
The federal government aims to restructure the Pakistan Railways (PR) so that the department can deliver the best possible services to citizens, said adviser to the prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity measures Dr Ishrat Husain on Sunday.
Dr Husain, along with Federal Privatisation Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro, was visiting City Station, from where he travelled to Orangi Station in a Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) train, the KCR-2 Down.
The PM adviser and the federal minister were welcomed by PR Karachi superintendent Muhammad Hanif Gul.
During the visit, Dr Husain and Soomro reviewed the KCR infrastructure, especially the land retrieved to clear the right of way for the train service along the recently rehabilitated 14-kilometre-long track of between City and Orangi Stations. They enquired about the expenditure, income and occupancy statistics of the KCR.
Also read: PR limits KCR operations
Besides, they were of the view that restoration measures, as those taken for the 14-km-long track, would lead to restarting the intra-city train service on another16-km-long track.
"The federal government aims to restructure the Pakistan Railways so that it can offer best services," said Dr Husain, extending full support to the PR and Sindh government for the restorion of the KCR service in accordance with the needs of Karachiites.
Dr Husain and Soomro also visited the 16-km-long of the track of the KCR from Orangi to Drigh Road Stations and asked about the major impediments in the way of the rehabilitation of the track.
They were particularly briefed about issues pertaining to Green Line interchange and the construction of overhead and underpass bridges on the 16-km-long, yet to be rehabilitated track of the KCR.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2021.