LAHORE – FGwadar would be made the eighth division of Pakistan railways andthe ministry would give extra benefits to those officials who are willingto work for the development of railways in the port city.
Addressing a press conference at the Railways Headquarters on Saturday,Railways minister Sheikh Rashid has announced that a 700km Quetta-Taftanrailway track would soon be completed to improve ties with neighbouringIran.
Pakistan Railways was a backbone of CPEC projects, Rasheed said and addedthat Gawadar would be a hub for economic activities. “We would increaseland for railways from 250 acres to 300 acres.”
He stated that the ministry would discourage single bidding in upcomingprojects of railways and encourage open competition in awarding the tender.
The minister showed his willingness to work with National Logistics Celland Frontier Works Organisation, saying that by working with these agenciesthe money will remain in the national kitty.
“I am committed to take railways out of deficit within one year, for whichwe are focusing on our freight sector,” Sheikh Rasheed said.
“We are signing agreements with many companies to use railwaysinfrastructure and soon we will start a world-class courier and freightservice too,” he added.
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The Pakistan Railways is scheduled to inaugurate two passenger trains –Margalla and Mianwali express – on September 14, which would run betweenLahore-Rawalpindi and Rawaplindi- Mianwali junctions simultaneously. “Wewill run two more passenger trains in coming months,” the minister informed.
One train will run between Mohenjo-daro, Sindh to Kotri and the otherbetween Peshawar and Karachi junctions. “Pakistan Express that started 12years ago in my tenure is the most successful train and these new trainswill also prove effective,” he hoped.
Rasheed also announced to provide Rs100 million annually for theconstruction of dams as a contribution from Railways.
“On Rs100 ticket the ministry will charge Re1 extra and Rs2 on more thanRs100 ticket. For air-conditioned sleeper coaches, the fare will beincreased up to Rs10,” the minister announced.
