Pakistan Railways kick-starts multi-billion rupee signal project

Work on the seven-year project was delayed due to lack of funds.


November 03, 2012

MULTAN: The national carrier – Pakistan Railways (PR) – has started improving its infrastructure for a better signal system. It is laying cables for installation of a modern automatic electronic signal system to kick-start the multi-billion rupee project for flawless rail traffic operations to ensure on-time arrival and departure of services, officials said on Friday.

Undisclosed foreign firms are laying cables from Lodhran to Shahdara (Lahore), which will be extended to the whole railway network in the future, officials of the Signal Engineering Department of Railways Multan Division told APP.

Work on the seven-year project was previously delayed due to a shortage of funds. Civil work including construction of cabins or buildings had been completed during the last six months from Lodhran to Khanewal. Work on laying cables began from Lodhran recently, officials said, adding that two companies from Korea and China will complete the project in seven years. The companies will also keep the system operational under their supervision for three years after its completion before handing it over to PR.

Initially, cables were being laid from Lodhran to Sher Shah double track, then to Khanewal, Shahdara (Lahore). Officials said that at present 2,200 employees who were engaged in keeping the existing signal system operational, will be trained to operate the new system.

They said that the obsolete system was hit by problems like short-circuiting due to inclement weather, moisture, dust and other factors. Signals were suspended in rainy conditions and trains had to be directed manually, they added. The new system will ensure the safety of two trains on the same track between two railways stations and minimise accident risks, officials said.

To ensure swift progress on the project, officials have deputed a team of engineers including 12 sub-engineers, a signal inspector, two assistant signal engineers, 14 assistants and an executive engineer.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2012.

COMMENTS (1)

Parvez | 11 years ago | Reply

...............but will we have trains ?? or is this another 'pie in the sky' scheme like the RPP's.

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