Rs31 billion railway track upgrade, rehabilitation planned

To overcome severe infrastructural challenges, Pakistan Railways has decided to invest over Rs31 billion in six major development projects aimed at upgradation and rehabilitation of the country's railway network.

The move will improve safety standards, enhance operational efficiency and provide better, faster and more reliable services to passengers and freight operators nationwide.

The railways is grappling with worn-out tracks forcing trains to move at extremely slow speeds and delaying arrivals and departures by seven to nine hours.

The rail authorities have imposed engineering restrictions to prevent derailments. A passenger train, which should travel at 110 kilometres per hour on some sections, often reaches only 55 to 78 kilometres. If a train exceeds 100 kilometres per hour, derailments or other accidents may occur."

The consequences for passengers are tangible. Lengthy delays have become routine, sometimes forcing the railway administration to cancel services and accommodate travellers on alternate trains. Commuters frequently spend several extra hours waiting due to track conditions alone.

The stretch between Sukkur and Karachi is particularly affected. Over 100 engineering restrictions apply on this section, drastically limiting speeds for goods and passenger trains. Average speeds here rarely exceed 50 to 55 kilometres per hour, despite fully operational engines and carriages.

Other major sections, including Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, allow slightly higher speeds, ranging from 78 to 80 kilometres per hour. Even when trains briefly approach 90 to 100 kilometres, drivers are forced to apply brakes immediately due to safety concerns.

According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, these projects are being executed under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

The work on track safety from Rohri to Khanpur section in Sukkur Division has been estimated at Rs4.87 billion. Similarly, track safety project from Tando Adam to Rohri section in Sukkur Division will be carried out against an estimated cost of Rs4.83 billion.

Essential track safety works on Keamari to Hyderabad section in Karachi Division are estimated to be accomplished with a cost of Rs5.4 billion. Likewise, essential track safety works on Khanewal to Shahdara section via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura, covering both Multan and Lahore divisions, will cost Rs6.3 billion. Essential track safety works on Sher Shah to Kundian section in Multan division is estimated to cost Rs4.9 billion. And essential track safety work on the Rohri to Sibi section in Sukkur division will cost Rs5.49 billion.