Pakistan Railways: News & Updates

[BATMAN]

Nope! Its govts responsibility to make it a profitable organization solely by its own, Cant this govt do that one job??

Responsibility cost money... and by privatizing it, govt. would profit and this shall be the job of govt. to become efficient, and every govt. dpt. is a burden and loss. Less they are better we will be.

Politicians want to keep the organizations under their selfish thumb... organizations are bound to fail.

You need to study.. how organizations are operated.... every single man's efficiency is gauged, quality is improved on daily bases and innovation means business... now tell me which politician can develop protocols to record efficiency of every professional and non professional staff in organization?

I bet no civilian in Pakistan knows, how to run organization efficiently.... if you insist to keep it civil than better hire, some one like Shauka Aziz, once more.

 

[Saleem]

Railways to lease out Risalpur locomotive factory

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has decided to lease out its Risalpur factory to private sector to convert it into a modern, state-of-the-art locomotive manufacturing facility.

The main objective of the move is to manufacture 25 locomotives yearly for the Railways and to unitise any excess capacity for potential export opportunities, according to a project document made available to Dawn.

The private sector consortium would make an upfront payment of Rs1 billion to the Railways after signing of the concession agreement.

The private party would make investment through its own resources without any financial assistance from the locomotive factory or PR to make the plant a successful and self-sufficient unit. The private party would have no access to locomotive factory’s assets for securing financing for the project.

The locomotive factory in Risalpur was commissioned in 1993 at a cost of Rs2.28bn with the Japanese assistance. Spreading over 100 acres and with production capacity of 25 locomotives in single shift basis, the factory has so far manufactured 97 locomotives and rehabilitated another 26.

The factory has been running into losses with only 97 locomotives manufactured in 21 years instead of estimated 235 locomotives since January 1993.

The Railways has offered the factory to a private sector consortium through the Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) of the Ministry of Finance.

The factory will partner with the private sector by contributing land and its existing facilities as a form of equity, while the private party will be responsible for upgrading the factory and its operations.

The project would have a possible capacity to export products while still retaining the functions of fulfilling the local railway transportation demand and achieving high delegation levels for the industry.

The concession to private consortium would be for 25 years subject to a manufacturing capacity of at least 25 locomotives a year.

Official statistics showed that the Railways currently has 300 locomotives which are out of service, waiting major repairs. The government is arranging funding of Rs6.1 billion through a consortium of commercial banks for the rehabilitation of 66 held-up locomotives through PRACS.

Rehabilitation of 27 locomotives is being arranged through PSDP at a cost of Rs5.108bn for which an agreement has been signed with a US locomotive manufacturing enterprise.

Special repair of 150 locomotives to improve their reliability and performance was also being carried out through PSDP at a cost of Rs5.005bn. Under this initiative, 20 locomotives would be repaired in 2012-13 and 65 locomotives each in the next two years.

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) has already approved the procurement of 275 locomotives, and the delivery of first 50 locomotives will start from March 2014. PR has also submitted a proposal to Planning Commission for another 100 locomotives for approval by Ecnec.

The Railways has a total of 515 locomotives, out of which more than 300 are off-track for want of service. Since 2011, the number of locomotives available for use has reduced by an average of 10 locomotives a month. By June 2012, only eight locomotives were available for freight and 92 for passengers. As a result, PR revenue earnings have drastically fallen by 25 per cent.

The worst crisis of the Railways is evident from the fact that the passenger traffic which was 230 trains a day has been reduced to 92 trains daily, while the number of freight trains has dropped from 96 to merely one per day.

Railways to lease out locomotive factory - DAWN.COM

a thousand cruses on these guys....private business means more loot.....they should make it a govt corporation run imdeopendently......

 

[ajpirzada]

all for it!! privatize it. we as a nation have developed this tendency of exploiting wat is under our control..

 

[Edevelop]

Steps being taken to rehabilitate PR: Saad Rafiq

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq said on Monday that steps were being taken on war-footings for the rehabilitation of Railways and restoration of its past glory.
Talking to the media at Railway workshops division after inspecting the overhauling of locomotives, he said that decline of railways department has been checked, however, it would take time for its complete rehabilitation.
He said that 71 locomotives each of them were being run over two traction motors, while each locomotive required four to six motors to keep it in order.
The Minister said that now four traction motors would be fixed in each locomotive to check the possibility of engine failure.
He said that for this purpose, 150 traction motors were being arranged and repaired. Apart from, he said, the Railways had required scores of generators of 300 KVA, which may be purchased or acquired on rent.
He said that the problem of late departure and arrival of trains would be resolved within one year.
The Railway Minister said that he had imposed ban on the sale of Railway scrap.
Replying to a question about running a bullet train in Pakistan, Saad Rafiq said that he had been given the task of Railways' rehabilitation, however, a separate authority would be established for bullet train.

Steps being taken to rehabilitate PR: Saad Rafiq

 

[Edevelop]

Repairing locomotives: Finance Ministry to release Rs 500m to PR

ISLAMABAD: Accepting the request from Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Finance here on Tuesday agreed to release Rs 500 million for repair of locomotives and these would be utilised for freight trains.
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique met the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar at the latter’s office here this afternoon and discussed with him issues relating to railways.
During his meeting the issue of availability of locomotives and their present condition was discussed at length. The finance minister accepted a request by the Ministry of Railways for release of Rs 250 million for repair of locomotives. This would enable the Ministry of Railways to repair 50 locomotives so that they can be put to use on fast-track basis.
The finance minister also approved the release of another Rs 250 million for repair of fraction motors of locomotive engines.
During the meeting it was decided that the locomotive would be utilised to start new freight trains so that the economic health of the railways can be improved.
The meeting reviewed the overall financial solution of the railways and the operational difficulties being faced by it in overcoming the challenges.
Dar said that turning around railways and make it passenger-friendly was one of the commitments of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in its manifesto. The Ministry of Finance, he said would do all that it takes to achieve this objective. The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, senior officials of the ministries of planning and development, finance and railways. staff report

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Edevelop]

Pakistan railways reduces rail fairs by 33 per cent


ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Railways on Thursday announced a substantive reduction of 33 per cent in rail fares on the directives of Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and the new rates will be applicable from July 11.

Strategic benchmarking is very important in revenue generation as it takes into account both cost and potential revenue, with the objective of increasing profit in the long term,” said the minister.

He said that one common challenge faced by every organisation was how to serve its customers better and the public sector was no exception to it.

Discussing the inter-city competitive public transport rates, Rafique said, “Improvement in system enables better product quality and service differentiation, leading to an increase in sales of the core product or service and higher capacity utilisation.”

It was observed that some railway routes had potential with respect to revenue generation, therefore, in order to enhance the profit margins of Pakistan Railways through expansion of sales, it has been decided to reduce the fares, he said.

The minister said a part of the benefit of the profit so earned would be transferred to the passengers in the form of a decrease in the fares.

The objective behind this move is to run the corporation on professional and commercial pattern so that the utility of railways, being an economical carrier may be utilised optimally.


Pakistan railways reduces rail fairs by 33 per cent - DAWN.COM

 

[Edevelop]

Chinese company proposes to make PR profitable

BEIJING: A Chinese company working in Pakistan for last over ten years, has a proposal to steer the decades old railways system out of the crisis and make a profitable entity.

The Director/General Manager of Sinotec Song Shuangping in an interview said if the present railways track was strengthened and electric locomotives were used, as per his proposal, the passengers train could run upto 180 kilometers per hour (km/h) and goods train up to 120 km/h.

He said the travelling time between Karachi and Peshawar would be considerably minimised, besides speedy and economical transportation of heavy luggage. It will also save the highways from being damaged due to heavy trucks and money spent on their repair, he added.

He said the train network could be extended upto the Gwadar Port for transportation of goods to Havalian and other parts of the country.

The proposed project would cost less, as it needed strengthening the existing track. Electric facility, including installation of pythons, for running electric powered locomotives would also be required, he added.

The electric powered locomotives will help achieve the highest speed and climate control in the bogies, he noted.

Using electricity would not only cut the ever-increasing oil import bill, but also help the Railways come out of the financial problems, remarked Song.

When asked as the country is already faced with power shortage, he informed that around 300 megawatts energy would be required for whole network, which could be generated through various means.

Song claimed his company had rich experience in energy and other areas of economy and was running a number of projects in various parts of the world, including Africa and South Asia.

He said at present Sinotec was working in six small hydropower generation projects in Punjab and financing four solar energy projects of 2 MW each. This would help reduce the power shortage in Pakistan.

Song said during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent China visit, a Sinotec delegation led by its President met him in Guangzhou and briefed on different projects. He said a high level delegation of his company would visit Pakistan next month. app

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Edevelop]

PR decides to launch four model trains between Lahore, Karachi: GM Railway

LAHORE, (SANA): Pakistan Railways has decided to ply four model trains between Lahore and Karachi.

This was stated by General Manager of Pakistan Railways Junaid Qureshi here on Friday.

He said double track between Chichawatni and Raiwind will be completed this year, which will reduce the traveling time from Lahore to Karachi by two hours.

The general manager said that repair of forty engines will be completed in three months time.

It is mentioning here that there is already from Chichawatni to Karachi and from Raiwind to Lahore.

It is hoped that launching of four model trains between Lahore and Karachi would not only provide the best traveling facilities to the passengers but it would also enhance the earning of Pakistan Railways.

According to sources, the circles which want the Pakistan railways to be back on the track, welcomed the decision of the Federal Minister for railways Khawaja Saad Rafique wherein the Railway minister rejected the summary forwarded by the Railway authorities for handing over the eight profit giving trains to a sub-department in Railway, PRACS.

They termed this decision of the Railway Minister a positive move towards rehabilitation of railways.

PR decides to launch four model trains between Lahore, Karachi: GM Railway ****************************

 

[Edevelop]

Plan to import locomotives dropped

ISLAMABAD: The much-trumpeted project to purchase 150 locomotives from foreign companies this fiscal year has been abandoned, as Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has decided to manufacture new engines locally and repair the old ones to save the department from getting more loans.


Sources said on Friday that to save the department from getting more loans, Saad Rafique had decided not to procure foreign-made locomotives or other goods. The department already has to clear Rs70 billion liabilities against loans to different firms and donor agencies.


On the other hand, the department’s performance has deteriorated due to the worst financial crunch, making it unable to launch any big scheme in the last one decade to rehabilitate it.In view of this bad situation, the minister believes purchase of foreign-made locomotives will cost millions of dollars thus burdening the department with more loans.


To save the department’s position, Saad Rafique has directed cancellation of all agreements with foreign firms, including China and the US, for procurement of locomotives and other rail goods. Instead, he has ordered the authorities concerned to prepare over 58 locomotives at the local level to save money. An amount of Rs500 million has been sanctioned out of which Rs250 million has been released and work has been started on the project. The 58 locomotives will be manufactured at the carriage factories of different railway stations.


Mohammad Ali, Personal Secretary to Khawaja Saad Rafiq, confirmed that the old plan to procure 150 new locomotives from American firms had been dropped and work had been undertaken on the manufacture of 58 locomotives at the local level.


After completion of the project, the locally-made locomotives would be coupled with passenger trains plying different routes. Mohammad Ali was unable to reply how many freight trains would be made operational which was the major source of generating revenue. He said the decision would be taken after the manufacture of locomotives.

Plan to import locomotives dropped - thenews.com.pk

 

[farhan_9909]

Plan to import locomotives dropped

ISLAMABAD: The much-trumpeted project to purchase 150 locomotives from foreign companies this fiscal year has been abandoned, as Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has decided to manufacture new engines locally and repair the old ones to save the department from getting more loans.


Sources said on Friday that to save the department from getting more loans, Saad Rafique had decided not to procure foreign-made locomotives or other goods. The department already has to clear Rs70 billion liabilities against loans to different firms and donor agencies.


On the other hand, the department’s performance has deteriorated due to the worst financial crunch, making it unable to launch any big scheme in the last one decade to rehabilitate it.In view of this bad situation, the minister believes purchase of foreign-made locomotives will cost millions of dollars thus burdening the department with more loans.


To save the department’s position, Saad Rafique has directed cancellation of all agreements with foreign firms, including China and the US, for procurement of locomotives and other rail goods. Instead, he has ordered the authorities concerned to prepare over 58 locomotives at the local level to save money. An amount of Rs500 million has been sanctioned out of which Rs250 million has been released and work has been started on the project. The 58 locomotives will be manufactured at the carriage factories of different railway stations.


Mohammad Ali, Personal Secretary to Khawaja Saad Rafiq, confirmed that the old plan to procure 150 new locomotives from American firms had been dropped and work had been undertaken on the manufacture of 58 locomotives at the local level.


After completion of the project, the locally-made locomotives would be coupled with passenger trains plying different routes. Mohammad Ali was unable to reply how many freight trains would be made operational which was the major source of generating revenue. He said the decision would be taken after the manufacture of locomotives.

Plan to import locomotives dropped - thenews.com.pk

Amazing news.

We need to go for a indigenous project of locomotives aswell as in the meantime get under license production from either china or south korea or even india

 

[Edevelop]

Saad Rafique visits Lahore Railway Station

LAHORE, July 14 (APP): Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique visited the Lahore Railway Station on Sunday and saw different parts of the station.During his visit, the minister directed the administration to restore historic form and position of the building.He also directed the PR administration to arrange food courts, handicraft centres and stalls of Lahori foods at the station to facilitate passengers.He announced stoppage of Badar Express train at Farooqabad on Lahore-Faisalabad section to facilitate people

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Saad Rafique visits Lahore Railway Station

 

[Edevelop]

Railways fines Rs0.44m on 947 ticketless passengers

LAHORE : Pakistan Railways Police have detected 947 passengers and charged them more than Rs 444,000 in the shape of fare and fine. According to detail, 81 passengers detected in Peshawar Division, 117 in Rawalpindi Division, 203 in Lahore Division, 162 in Multan Division, 112 in Sukkur Division and 238 in Karachi Division. IGP Railways Syed Ibne Hussain directed to continue the campaign against ticket-less travelling with the coordination of Railways staff and not to spare anyone, said a statement.

Railways fines Rs0.44m on 947 ticketless passengers

 

[arushbhai]

I normally hate listening to sheikh rashid but he was spot on the other day about bullet trains. He said, thousands of people live around rail track in rural and urban areas, not only that, people and animals have a tendency to cross railway line to go on the other side. Not only that, there are thousands of Phattaks and on top of that, the rail tracks are decades old, they cannot possibly sustain a bullet train. PMLN should wait atleast 4 years before they begin working on this project.

 

[Edevelop]

Train delays: Passengers to be notified through SMS

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Railways has decided to notify passengers through Short Message Service (SMS) about the train delays. The service will resume from Monday.


According to Railway authorities, a software has been prepared to acknowledge passengers about exact departure times so that passengers may not face any problem in the future.


On the other hand, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday has said that Pakistan Railways can be made a profitable entity by improving the system of reservation and ticketing.


Chairing a meeting of Railway officials in Lahore ‚ he stressed for improvement in the railway journey to ensure maximum comfort for public.

The Minister urged the Railway employees to play their role for making Pakistan Railways a profit earning organization.

Matters relating to modernizing the reservation and ticketing system came under discussion during the meeting.

Dunya News: Pakistan:-Train delays: Passengers to be notified through SM...

 

[Edevelop]

Pakistan Railways starts its third Freight Train

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways started its third freight train today. Accelerating the freight operations is inevitable for the revenue generation. In this lieu, steps have been taken to comply with the Worthy Minister's directive.
Resultantly, the number of freight trains has been increased from (02) to (03). It may be noted here that the two freight trains, already functioning, were being engaged in Oil Operations for PSO, whereas the third freight train has been started for the purpose of goods' supply across the different places. Transportation of PSO Oil between Karachi and Lal peer has been done, using Pakistan Railways cargo trains for quite some time. To enhance the freight operations of Pakistan Railways, the number of locomotives, used for the said purpose, has also been extended from (09) to 24. It may be learnt here that this enhancement is rendered by the repair and maintenance of the defective locomotives, a very positive sign for discovering the latent potential of Railways, which is evident from the very fact that the institution earned a hefty sum of 14 million from its freight operations in one day only.
Federal Minister, Kh. Saad Rafique has directed the railways' officials to play a pivotal role in enhancing the 'Freight Operations'.
It is to be noted here that the top notch of Pakistan Railways will remain present at the Railways Headquarters on Saturday which is otherwise a routine holiday.
The agenda for tomorrow's i.e. Saturday's meetings include Pakistan Railways' PSDP (2013-14) Allocation, Railway Ticketing & Reservation System Improvement as well as Ensuring punctuality in the Departure - Arrival Timings of Passenger Trains.

Pakistan Railways starts its third Freight Train