Railways minister wants to have all level railway crossings manned

Railway Minister wants to expand RAILCOP, PRACS and resolve land ownership and debt repayment conflicts.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafique on Saturday wrote to all the provincial Chief Ministers to convert unmanned level railway crossings into manned crossings.

According to an official release, Rafique intends to meet the Chief Ministers along with his team of senior officials to discuss issues relating conversion of unmanned crossings into manned ones, since the responsibility of financing the conversion of unmanned crossings under the Railways Act of 1890 lies with the concerned road owning authority.

The Railways minister is also expected to take up matters pertaining to conflicts over land ownership, payment of arrears to Railways (outstanding on part of provincial governments under different heads), and other related issues.

Expansion of Railcop, Pracs

Rafique directed officials in the top echelon of Railways to approach the relevant bodies in the federal and provincial governments, as well as the private sector, for the acquisition and expansion of business for RAILCOP and PRACS.