Railways CPEC projects to be re-evaluated

LAHORE: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has said that Railway projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be re-evaluated by an evaluation committee of the department.

He was addressing a press conference at Pakistan Railways (PR) Headquarters before signing of an agreement with the Jamshoro Power Company (Pvt) Ltd about transportation of coal, here on Saturday.

He said that CPEC Evaluation Committee would assess the actual position of the projects to minimise chances of corruption under the zero-tolerance policy of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said that another committee, headed by PR Chairman Javaid Anwar and CEO Aftab Akbar, had been formed called Investment Committee, which would supervise the investment matters in the railways.

Sheikh Rashid said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate the operation of two trains including Mianwali Express and Margala Express at the Prime Minister House Islamabad on Sept 14.

"We are planning to operate two more new trains including Moenjodaro Express between Sukkur and Kotri and another inexpensive train between Karachi and Peshawar," he added.

The minister said that it had been decided to deposit Rs 100 million every year to the Prime Minister and Chief Justice Dam Fund, adding that one rupee for every Rs 100 ticket and Rs 2 for a ticket worth over a hundred rupees would be charged from economy class passengers.

"Rs 10 will be charged from every AC Sleeper passenger and this income will be deposited to the Dam Fund," he added.

He disclosed that Gawadar had been made another railways division and one extra salary would be given to the officers, who would like to work over there.

He said that the PR already had 250-acre land in Gawadar and now it had been decided to purchase 300-acre more land to meet the future operational needs.

The minister said that Quetta-Tuftan 700-kilometre section would be rebuilt and it would be used for commercial operations, while pilgrims could also be use this track.

He said that another deal with Maple Leaf Cement Company was in the pipeline.

He said that two websites would also be launched including Complaints Website and Investment Website.

Later on, the agreement-signing ceremony between Jamshoro Power Company and Railway Transportation Freight Company was held. The PR is expecting Rs 4.5 billion per annum income from the agreement.