Railways suffered Rs 26.252 billion loss in 2010-11: Bilour informs National Assembly

Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the Railways suffered a loss of Rs 26.252 billion during 2010-11. However, various projects are being initiated for rehabilitation, development and modernisation of the PR, he added. The Minister informed the House in a written reply that some projects would be completed during the current fiscal year.
He said a project to double the track from Khanewal to Raiwind has been taken in hand at a cost of Rs 1.2617 billion. Most of the work on this project has been completed while the remaining 90 km-track from Okara-Raiwind will be completed in 2011-12.
Another project for rehabilitation of existing track (Lahore-Rawalpindi-Peshawar) would start in the current fiscal year with the help of Asian Development Bank. The project for realignment of track from Kaluwal to Pindora on Jhelum Rawalpindi section is likely to start in 2011-2012 while another project of restoration of damaged assets on Mirpur Mathelo to Shahadpur section and Bin Qasim stations which were damaged in the aftermath of December 27, 2007 carnage are also expected to be completed by 2012.
The government has planned to computerise 10 more stations in the current fiscal year as part of the computerised on-line reservation system introduced in the Railways. So far, he said 42 stations have been computerised. The installation of automated arrival/departure boards at major railway stations is likely to be completed in 2011-12. The procurement of 530 high capacity freight wagons has been completed in June 2011 and the project of setting up of new dry port at Multan at a cost of Rs 494 million is likely to be completed in 2011-12.
The project for procurement of 150 new diesel locomotives at a cost of Rs 55,488 million was approved in December 2010 and the contract agreement is being executed. The project is expected to mature within three years.
Bilour informed the House that contract agreement for manufacture/procurement of 75 new diesel locomotives amounting to $105.143 million was signed with Fong Fang Company of China and now the matter is sub judice in Islamabad High Court while procurement/manufacture of 202 New Design Passenger Coaches amounting to $134.452 million would be completed in 2012-13. The minister said projects for rehabilitation and improvement of track from Quetta to Taftan at a cost of $671 million is expected to be completed in 5 years provided funds were given by international & national financial institutions.
Replying to another question, the minister said that at present three pairs of express trains are plying between Karachi and Peshawar and one pair between Karachi and Quetta.