Railways reduces travel time between major cities

The Pakistan Railways has reduced travel duration between major cities – Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Rawalpindi – by removing 70 unmanned gates and 40% railroad switches, warning that legal action will be taken against those who try to make a route on the railway tracks.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Railways on Thursday, legal action, including filing of lawsuits, will be taken against those who make their way on the railway tracks, while such a “positive action will further improve the railways’ reputation in the future and increase its revenue”.

Railways Chief Engineer Amir Nisar, while inspecting the tracks, signal system gates and stations in eight divisions of the railways, said that the PR has taken significant steps to reduce the travel time between Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Rawalpindi.

In the first phase, 70 unmanned gates set up without any reason on the railway tracks have been completely removed, which has further improved the train operation. Unmanned railway gates were constructed on the railway track which made it difficult for the driver to keep the train running at full speed and caused daily train accidents. “Elimination of these will reduce train travel time by 90%.”

At the same time, due to financial difficulties in Sukkur and other divisions, poor track maintenance and non-change of track for several kilometres, the speed of trains between Lahore and Karachi was low. Removal of railroad switches from 40% of the track has improved train operations while the PR management has instructed to speed up the maintenance of tracks in the divisions where switches are maintained.

Railways Chief Engineer Nisar said that the removal of unmanned gates set up for no reason has improved the train operations, especially the travel duration between Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi has been significantly reduced.

“People are now able to travel safely with ease while legal action will be taken against those who try to make a route on the railway track without any reason.”

He said that he instructed the staff concerned to responsibly perform their duties regarding the maintenance of tracks.