Pakistan Railways induct modern Freight Trains
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LAHORE: Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique formally inducted and launched the commercial services of modern 4000-Horse Power Freight Engines, imported from US on Sunday.
Addressing the induction ceremony in Lahore, he said that Pakistan Railways has purchased a total of fifty five Locomotives from USA, out of which fourteen have reached Pakistan. The remaining will be provided by July this year.
He said that the purchase of these state-of-the-art engines has been done under the Pakistan’s vision 2025, so that the freight share of Railways to be enhanced.
The Minister said that out of fifty five engines, twenty two will be used for transportation of coal to the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, while the rest will be used for freight trains.
Railways Minister said that the probe report regarding the recent accident on Sheikhupura-Nabi Pur railway crossing will be completed soon. He said that the accident was not due to drivers’ negligence.
He announced a financial compensation worth twelve lakh rupees and nine lakh rupees for the families of driver and assistant driver of the train respectively. He also announced plots worth five million rupees and job for one person each, for the departed families.
He said that the work on the latest signals system will have been completed before the work on C-PEC is over.
He said that Punjab Government has cooperated regarding the installation of gates on railway crossings while Sindh Government has also provided funds for installation of ten gates.
He said that a proposal is also under consideration for construction of under-passes on railway crossings to avoid accidents in future.
Railways Minister said that due to successful government measures on war footings, the losses of Pakistan Railways have considerably been reduced.
He urged the PTI Chairman Imran Khan to avoid politics on the national tragedies. – APP
