The government has put off the plan to procure railway locomotives and coaches on lease from India, Business Recorder has learnt. Sources in Ministry of Railways said on Friday that the plan to procure nearly 300 locomotives, wagons and coaches on lease from India has been abandoned.
The Railways officials were planning to get some 200 freight wagons, 100 passenger coaches and nearly 12 locomotives on lease from India to meet the domestic requirements. "We had a plan, and a summary was also forwarded to Prime Minister House in this connection. But we believe there no early decision is expected," sources said.
It was informed that the authorities had submitted a summary in the beginning of this year but the response is still awaited. Sources said that Pakistan Railways was also looking forward to approach Japanese government if the idea to get locomotives from India did not materialise.
"We were of the view that getting locomotives and passenger coaches from India would be financially viable, but if it did not happen we will contact Japanese firms," they added. In this regard, sources said, they have already held several meetings with a number of Japanese firms for import of latest locomotives.