Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

The railways ministry has begun upgrading and rehabilitating the rail network to ensure safe train operations and address the recurring accidents on or near the tracks across the country.

According to documents available with WealthPK, work has started on the upgradation of the Rohri to Khanpur section in Sukkur Division, the Tando Adam to Rohri section in Sukkur Division, the Kemari to Hyderabad section in Karachi Division, and the 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, work has begun on the rehabilitation of the track between Kotri and Akhondabad, including the Kotri to Dadu section in Karachi Division. A new rail line is also under construction from

Thar Coal to the existing railway network at New Chhor and near Port Qasim. Rehabilitation and strengthening of some weak bridges across the railway network in the country are part of the plan. Furthermore, Landhi, Jummagoth, Badal Nala, and Sarhad stations are being upgraded with a computerized interlocking system.

The official further disclosed that the Karachi–Lahore section telecom system is being revamped with a digital microwave radio communication system. The Push-to-Talk system is being gradually implemented in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sukkur, and Karachi divisions. As per the plan, 230 newly designed 160 km/hr passenger coaches and 820 high-capacity freight wagons will also be inducted soon.

A senior official at the railways ministry told Wealth Pakistan that the safety of train operations is being ensured by imposing speed restrictions where the track is in suboptimal condition. Over 80 percent of the PR signal system is based on outdated mechanical and relay-based technology. The system is vulnerable to equipment theft and environmental hazards, which frequently result in operational delays and safety risks.

Pakistan Railways owns 1,634 passenger coaches, of which 1,183 have outlived their economic life of 35 years. As a result, the average availability of passenger coaches for train operations is only 1,056. Moreover, there are a total of 11,045 freight wagons, of which 6,823 have outlived their economic life of 45 years, leading to a shortage. Currently, the average availability of freight wagons for train operations is only 6,658.

Credit: INP-WealthPk