LODHRAN: Self-centred policies of our politicians have led to the massive decline of the Pakistan Railways. It is important that measures are taken to restore it to its former glory. According to an official estimate, 5,663 acres of railway-owned land had been taken over by encroachers. It has become the need of the hour that this land be retrieved on an urgent basis. Reasonable income can be generated after leasing this land out, which can be utilised for the revival of the railways.
In the past, the railway authorities preferred passenger trains to freight trains and this caused heavy losses to the railways. There is a need to revive the freight transit system and win back the lost confidence of the railways’ regular customers.
Instead of paying heed to repairing faulty engines, emphasis was put on importing new engines, which were paid through massive borrowings. This practice must be abolished and measures must be taken to repair and maintain the existing engines.
In order to appease their supporters, every government appoints a large number of untrained and unskilled people in the railways. This practice has become a huge burden on the railways. Such freeloading employees must be get rid of on a priority basis through golden handshakes or any other possible method.
Corruption, theft of scrap and sale of bogus tickets are prevalent practices in the railways. It is necessary that all those responsible for this mess are brought to book.
Naveed Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2012.
