Lack of progress on ML-1 irks NA panel

Railways minister assures documentary procedure completed

ISLAMABAD:

Members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Railways have expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the Federal Ministry of Railways, saying it was a pity that the institution was even lagging behind the neighbouring country in terms of its performance.

“Pakistan Railways needs to undergo massive overhauling to come on a par with the required standards which were currently on the decline,” MNA Mohammad Mueen Wattoo said while presiding over a meeting of the standing committee on Wednesday.

Wattoo deplored that progress on the ML-1 project was very slow and observed the ministry’s response to the committee’s recommendations should be swift. “The railways minister should attend the committee’s meetings frequently.”

The committee will also provide full support to the railways, he added.

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Azam Swati assured that a complete report about the annual performance of the railways will be submitted on February 9 to the panel.

The minister told the panel that the documentary procedure on the ML-1 project has been completed and suggested that the committee should summon the CPEC secretary to seek further details. “We cannot tolerate any further delay in this mega project”.

“The accurate estimation about the entire costs can be gauged only after the tendering process starts. Only Chinese companies will operate on ML-1, which has been already decided.”

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“All our documents are complete. I met the Chinese ambassador four months ago,” the minister said, adding that the Ghotki train accident cannot be forgotten.

He said that Rs2 billion was being spent on the track from railways income.

“Efforts are being made to keep the railways on the top priority of the forthcoming budget, he said.

Briefing the committee, Azam Swati said that an annual performance report would be provided at the next committee meeting.

In response to a query regarding the past plans of the railways and the current status and progress of the projects undertaken by the ministry, the railways minister said that a complete briefing will be given to the panel.

Sharing further details, He said reforms also were afoot to control the daily loss the institution was facing. “Due to lack of adequate signalling system, the railway is suffering a daily loss of $60,000.”

Azam Swati said that he would also inform the prime minister about all the details of the railways.

The costs of both new and old projects account for Rs46 billion, the railways officials informed and added that talks are in process with other countries for bigger projects.