Pakistan Railways will seek alternatives for rehabilitation of vulnerable tracks if up-gradation of Main Line (ML-1) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) delays.
This was revealed by Secretary Railways Sikandar Sultan Raja while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Railways which met with Mohammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo in the chair here on Wednesday.
The parliamentary panel observed that Pakistan Railways' conditions were deteriorating while the government was busy in the race for operating new trains without focusing on quality and standards.
Senator Liaqat Khan Taraki of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that a race of launching new trains had been started but the quality was deteriorating. He urged that quality should not be compromised.
The Secretary Railways informed the committee that it had been decided in principle not to launch new trains anymore. Further, the already launched new trains would be examined and analysed to find out whether they were viable or not, he added.
Expressing serious concerns over the increasing number of train accidents, the Senate committee stressed the need for authentic medical and psychological testing of drivers and assistant drivers to ensure that personnel are physically and mentally fit.
It was decided that medical tests of 50 drivers of Railways would be carried from Railways hospital in Lahore and would be cross-checked from Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore to ensure the quality of medical tests.
The committee showed grave concern regarding increasing railway incidents that have cost precious lives and numerous casualties and recommended that train drivers must be provided with an environment where it is mandatory for them to take ample rest.
It was asserted that a workable programme must be devised to ensure this. It was also recommended that CCTV cameras be installed to monitor driver movement. It was also suggested that a committee be formed to evaluate personal issues faced by railway staff, especially the drivers, to ensure that they are not mentally stressed while performing their duties.
The committee was informed that medical examination of staff was conducted on a regular basis. Discussing education and training, the committee was informed that a minimum qualification of FSc was imperative for recruitment after which a two years simulator training course was completed. It was also revealed that every engine was installed with a tracker to monitor speed.
It was revealed that an internal investigation was under way into the recently accident of a passenger train Akbar Express, which rammed into a freight train near Sadiqabad and resultantly 26 people were killed and 74 got injured. The inquiry is due to be completed within 10 days.
The chairman committee directed the ministry that medical reports of the driver and the station masters must be submitted to the committee, including tests taken after the accident to determine drug usage.
Replying to a question Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Railways Aftab Akbar said that the cost of one locomotive was around Rs 400 million. The committee was further informed that signal system was installed in 1968. The subject collision took place due to over-speeding and non-observance of RED signals by driver of Akbar Express. The initial findings revealed that driver and assistant driver were not vigilant.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Asad Ali Khan Junejo and attended by Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Senator Brig John Kenneth Williams (retd), Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, Senator Khanzada Khan, Senator Gianchand, Senator Liaqat Khan Tarakai and senior officers of the Ministry of Railways along with all concerned.