Roadmap: Carriage freight plan is inevitable, says railways minister

Timetable and schedule for restructuring of ailing enterprise outlined.

ISLAMABAD: “The railways enjoy an advantageous position over the roadways since they can carry heavy loads over long distances. In order to improve the present situation at operational level of railways, the revenue position will have to be made better for which a New Carriage Freight Plan is inevitable”, said Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique while chairing a high level meeting of the Pakistan Railways and its subsidiaries.

The minister added “The plan shall be short term in nature, to be finalised in July this year and to be executed on pilot basis initially for two years. After due scrutiny as well as evaluation of the plan’s implications, a five-year mid-term plan and a 10-year long-term plan shall be prepared”.

The meeting agreed that the growing challenge of accommodating both passenger and freight activity on the same transportation system, including issues related to congestion and public safety concerns is of great importance, thus facilities for Central Diesel Locomotive Shop must be improved.

Speaking on the occasion the minister took the cognizance of the fact that the usage of two to three traction motors in locomotives was a criminal offence and had been a major cause of delays in trains, and directed all concerned to ensure that by every locomotive should be on 4 traction motors by the end of the year.

The minister stressed on the dire need of having a common understanding of the issues, educating and building awareness, keeping an open dialogue, and organising and working together to craft solutions which could not only help to avoid misconceptions but foster mutual cooperation also. He furthered to announce that an effective Railway Board would be constituted for this purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2013.

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