On track: Pakistan Railways to acquire new locomotives

Auto-signalling, e-ticketing systems also in pipeline.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) will procure locomotives of 4000-plus horsepower after a thorough evaluation of technology and manufacturers. These locomotives will play a vital role in strengthening freight operation, according to a PR official,.

The procurement of Hopper Trucks had also been started. The official said the manual-signalling system of Lodhara to Kotri Section was being switched over to the auto-signalling system.



He said the IT Department was being revamped and an IT system will be implemented. He added that a contract for installation of an e-ticketing system has been awarded which will be completed in 10 months.

The official further said that an insurance policy agreement of staff and passengers would also be signed in the near future. To a question, he said the financial position of PR had improved after passenger and freight sectors attracted commuters and traders respectively after several measures taken by the administration.

To another question, he said a project for the rehabilitation of 27 locomotives was also in progress locally. It was expected that two locomotives a month would be rehabilitated and inducted into freight operations.

He said around 100,000 passengers benefitted from 14 special trains run by PR on Eidul Azha. He added that the PR administration had retrieved 3,000 acres of land from encroachers in two phases.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2014.

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