Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

The government allocated only Rs8.7 billion between 2023 and 2025 for the upgradation of the Pakistan Railways (PR) infrastructure against a much bigger demand. According to a document obtained by Wealth Pakistan, the year-wise breakdown of such allocations shows that in 2022-23 the allocations were Rs2.6 billion against the demand of Rs4.7 billion.

In 2023-24, the allocation was Rs1.7 billion against the demand of Rs6.4 billion. An amount of Rs4.4 billion was allocated against the total demand of Rs8.1 billion in 2024-25. Currently, PR owns 11,881km track and 7,791km route over the entire network across the country, out of which 67% of the track has outlived its life.

As per the document, despite financial constraints, routine track maintenance is being carried out regularly through available resources. Besides, track rehabilitation is being carried out under several PSDP projects to ensure safe and smooth train operations. The PR has taken concrete steps in order to prevent system failures and restore public confidence in the national railway network.

The PR has also started work to ensure track safety on the Rohri to Khanpur section in Sukkur Division, from Tando Adam to Rohri section in Sukkur Division, from Kiamari to Hyderabad section in Karachi Division, from Khanewal to Shahdara section via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura. The Khanewal to Shahdara section via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura covers both Multan and Lahore Divisions.

Moreover, the PR has also launched rehabilitation process of track between Kotri and Akhondabad, including the Kotri to Dadu section in Karachi Division. A new railway line is under construction from Thar Coal to the existing railway network at New Chhor, including last-mile connectivity with Port Qasim. The department is also rehabilitating some weak bridges across the railway system.

Credit: INP-WealthPk