LAHORE: Pakistan Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has said the Pakistan Railways is now running on a right track of success due to continuous efforts, proper planning, determination and hardworking.
Talking to APP, he said the PR had earned more than Rs 6 billion during the fiscal year 2013-14 than the 2012-2013.
He said the department would hopefully earn more profit in upcoming days due to coal transportation and Chinese investment.
He said an administrative discipline, reduction in fare, restoration of freight trains, transparent selling of scrap and revenue collection from other government departments were major reasons which had diverted the PR towards success.
The minister said the PR was sharing its achievments with passengers by giving them several discounts and facilities as passengers would enjoy upto 50 percent discount in fare on Eid and 13 Eid special trains.
He said after positive achievements the department had restored Shahsawar Express train from Lahore to Sialkot via Narang, Narowal and Pasrur which would earn Rs 60 million per year for the PR and it would facilitate 850 passengers daily, adding the running time of Tezgam Express train had been reduced to 25 hours and 45 minutes from 26 hours and 25 minutes which would also generate revenue for the department.
The minister said all three racks of Tezgam had been changed with state-of-the-art and more comfortable Chinese coaches, adding number of coaches in Bahuddin Zekria Express had been increased from 12 to 15 and about Rs 145 million additional earning was expected from the train.
To a question, he said passengers were coming back and sale of tickets for special trains was an example of it.
Saad said capacity of luggage vans had been increased from 10 tons to 15 tons and initially these new vans were working with Karachi Express.
He said the PR had arranged two spare racks in Karachi so that delay in the trains could be overcome.
The minister said the railways was planning to provide fresh dinner and breakfast to passengers of Karachi Express train and the price would be inbuilt in the ticket, adding fresh food would be arranged at Sahiwal, Multan, Haiderabad and Karachi.
He said two oil career trains were being set off for Laal Pir ad Muzafarghar after successful dialogue with Pakistan state Oil and the number of oil trains would be five till August.
The minister said an agreement between PR and Gharibwal Cement was a breakthrough as the PR would transport 15,000 matric ton coal from Karachi to Gharibwal (Chakwal) and 10,000 matric ton cement from Gharibwal to Karachi, adding the PR would be able to earn a good amount of revenue through this agreement.
He said several agreements with Maple Leaf, NLC and NESPAK were under process which would be proved beneficial for the department.
To a question regarding Royal Palm, he said the PR had successfully taken up the case before apex Supreme Court and the decision would be accepted.
The minister expressed his satisfaction over performance of new Chinese locomotives and said all Chinese locomotives were working properly.
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