Pakistan

PR capable to overhaul 10 locomotives per month

Published November 7, 2012 Updated November 7, 2012 09:00am

 

Talking to APP, a railway official said Wednesday, that around 100 locomotives were overhauled in Central Diesel Locomotive (CDL) Rawalpindi Workshop within one year period.

 

However, during the current year, 72 locomotives would be completely repaired in the workshop.

 

He said all out efforts are being made to improve performance and efficiency of Pakistan Railways (PR) and make it a profit-earning organization.

 

Most of the railway fleet including passenger coaches, freight wagons and locomotives are outdated and PR needed funding for restructuring.

 

To a question, he said Pakistan Railways cannot be compared with Indian Railways (IR ) as PR has only 148 locomotives in running position while the Indian facility has 8300 locomotives in functional condition.

 

Most of the overhauled locomotives would be used for freight service to generate revenue.

 

He said PR has completed dualisation of Lodhran- Sahiwal track while dualisation of Raiwind-Sahiwal section is underway.

 

The completion of this project would help reduce travelling time between Lahore and Karachi.

 

He said according to an estimate, running about 15 to 20 goods trains a day can steer the Railways out of financial crunch if operated on regular basis.

 

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012