Pakistan Railways demands govt to release Rs5b

The funds are sought for the renovation of engines of old trains, till new locomotives are imported.

The Pakistan Railways has demanded Rs5 billion from the federal government for the renovation of its train engines.

Sources revealed that Pakistan Railways has 522 engines in stock from which more than 50 per cent are out of order. Eighty-four of them can be repaired if work is done on them.

A railways spokesman told Express 24/7 that it may take 18 to 24 months to import locomotives from abroad so the government has been asked to release money for the renovation of old locomotives.

Sources said special locomotives are designed to run on the railway tracks because in Pakistan railway tracks measure 5.5  feet, contrary to the international standard of 4.5 feet. The railway spokesman claimed that 230 locomotives can be used again after renovation.