🇵🇰 Pakistan Railway's Projects (3 Viewers)

[ghazi]

In collaboration with China, a plan is afoot to shift Pakistan Railways to solar energy in a bid to ward off colossal financial damages and lay the foundation of green energy in railway infrastructure.
Initially, 100 sites with heavy electricity consumption have been identified and once shifted to solar energy, it would save at least Rs1 billion a year for the entity.

According to senior PR officials, the government of Pakistan and Chinese firms have been negotiating to hammer out an actional deal.

"Pakistan has started attuning its transport infrastructure to realize its vision of high-quality green and sustainable development," he added.

Another PR official said "CPEC has changed the landscape of Pakistan and accelerated growth while bringing about socio-economic benefits for the people of Pakistan. China's commitment to promoting carbon-free global economy is commendable."

The officials said that the railway management has assigned NESPAK to complete the feasibility study of installing solar panels on selected sites, adding that 16,535 out of 26,660 electric meters so far of the railway's residential complexes are shifted to Distribution Companies (Discos) and Karachi-Electric (KE) to minimise the financial losses.

 

[ghazi]

Chinese enterprise supports digital ticketing system in Pakistan

By Mariam Raheem
Jun 30, 2023

ISLAMABAD- The passenger ticketing system of the RABTA project of the Ministry of Railways, Pakistan was successfully launched last month.

The first two trains running with the system were 107UP and 108DN of the Islamabad Express. Passengers commuting between Islamabad and Lahore can easily book tickets through the system and also can choose appropriate train numbers and seats on the website.

RABTA project page on Pakistan Railways

In 2021, Chinese technology company Easyway Innovation Co., Ltd won the bid for the RABTA project of Pakistan Railways. The company will continue its 12-year operational service to provide Pakistan Railways with a comprehensive and modern information system covering passenger tickets, freight, baggage, and train tracking upon the completion of the RABTA project.

The RABTA ticket section is to build a nationwide ticket and travel platform across Pakistan, offering services including itinerary planning, ticket purchase, and taking in-station services, to continue to provide passengers with full itinerary information services.

window ticketing

In the offline part, manual sales of paper pre- fabricated tickets will be eliminated nationwide, and all commercially operated stations will open electronic ticketing systems and install passenger self- service devices. In the online section, the types and quality of services including the complete itinerary of passengers, such as online booking and refunding, as well as hotels, catering, tourism, and vehicle rental, will be comprehensively improved.

The opening of follow-up lines and train numbers in the system is currently in progress. It is anticipated that by the end of this year, the passenger ticketing system will cover all stations and trains in Pakistan while the luggage system and train tracking system will also be operational.

 

[ghazi]

New Rail Links to streamline bulk transportation from Thar Coal mines

By Tahir Ali
Sep 8, 2023

ISLAMABAD - To ensure the establishment of a dependable and efficient railway infrastructure aimed at overcoming geographical constraints associated with Thar Coal transportation across the country, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Thursday endorsed a Rs 55.97 billion rail connectivity project for submission to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

This project is intended to provide an eco-friendly means of transporting coal while maintaining environmental considerations. The project envisages the construction of a 105-kilometer-long new single line Railway Track infrastructure from Thar Coal Mines to New Chhor Station and the construction of an 18-kilometre Double Line Track which includes 4.20-kilometre-long loop lines from Bin Qasim to Port Qasim.

 

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Railway minister announces Pipri Freight Corridor project

Pakistan Observer
Sep 22, 2023

The Pakistan Railways will construct a freight corridor from Pipri to Karachi to enhance revenue from goods transportation by rail. The project is expected to be completed by October 2023.
Railway Minister Shahid Ashraf Tarar announced approval of the Pipri Freight Corridor project during his visit to the Railway Headquarters in Lahore on Friday.

The minister said that the freight corridor would facilitate movement of goods from Karachi Port to upcountry destinations and vice versa. He said that the project would also reduce congestion and improve efficiency on the main line.

The minister also reviewed a business plan to increase revenue through transportation of goods by train. He sought a report to identify more locations for unloading goods from trains. He said that the Pakistan Railways was committed to providing quality service to its customers and enhancing its share in the transport sector.

The minister also received updates regarding the outsourcing of services in railway hospitals. He directed the railway authorities to open all railway hospitals gradually for public use as per his instructions.

Furthermore, the minister instructed the railway officials to decorate and beautify Lahore Railway Station and make it more attractive for passengers and visitors.

He said that Lahore Railway Station was a historical landmark and a symbol of pride for the nation.

 

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PR to introduce TDAS for improved track visibility in foggy conditions

APP
November 13, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways is set to introduce the "Train Driver Assistant System" (TDAS) to help train drivers a clear view of the railway tracks up to an impressive distance of 700 meters.

"The technology aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of train operations during adverse weather conditions, particularly in the presence of dense smog and fog," an official in the Ministry told APP.

The system, he said the TDAS is set to revolutionize the way trains navigate through foggy landscapes. It promised not only to avert potential accidents but also to facilitate smooth rail travel when visibility is severely compromised.

He said the capabilities of this digital system extend beyond improved visibility; it can also identify and monitor vital elements such as signals, level crossings, gates, track obstructions, and other potential hazards within the same 700-meter radius.

The official said this comprehensive approach to training management promises to reduce the risk of accidents significantly.

Initially, he said the department was planning to install the anti-fog device in four engines. However, Pakistan Railways has outlined a strategic expansion plan, with the ultimate goal of equipping all trains with this life-saving technology in the coming year.

He said in a move to combat the persistent challenge of fog-related train delays, Pakistan Railways has joined hands with the University of Engineering Taxila (UET) to introduce a cutting-edge "Digital Railway Driving System".

 

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ML-I groundbreaking by early 2024

PM seeks reform strategy for Pakistan Railways to maximise benefits of ML-I

Shahbaz Rana
November 16, 2023

It was decided that no fence would be constructed along the ML-I route, which would help save cost. However, it will have a direct impact on the rail speed.

The government on Wednesday announced the groundbreaking of the Mainline-I (ML-I) project by early next year, which would be constructed after a drastic revision in its scope that reduced the estimated cost by one-third to $6.7 billion to make it commercially viable.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, who instructed officials to try to perform the groundbreaking before the end of his government's term on February 8.

The PM sanctioned the revision in the project with directives to present its revised PC-I to the competent forum for approval in the current week.

The meeting was told that modalities for ML-I were in final stages and the project's groundbreaking would be performed by early next year, according to a statement issued by the PM Office.

The project will be completed in two phases. In the first phase, a 930-kilometre-long rail track will be laid from Karachi to Multan. Also, the railway infrastructure damaged in the 2022 floods will be upgraded as per international standards.

In the next phase, a 796km-long rail track will be laid from Multan to Peshawar in line with requirements of the future. In 2017, Pakistan and China signed a five-year framework agreement for construction of the ML-I project. The framework has now been extended for another five years.

However, the sources said that the groundbreaking would be contingent on firmed-up financing for the project as so far financing details had remained uncertain. A financing plan will be discussed by both sides next month.

The in-principle understanding is that China will provide 85% of the project cost in the shape of loan while Pakistan will arrange the remaining amount.

Sources said that the project cost was being revised to $6.67 billion, a reduction of $3.2 billion, or one-third, through a reduced scope and design aimed at making it commercially viable.

During the visit of PM Kakar, both countries signed an addendum to the ML-I project, which was part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), reducing its scope and design.

It was decided that no fence would be constructed along the route, which would help save cost. But it will have a direct impact on the rail speed. In the absence of fencing, the operational rail speed will be 120 km to 140 km per hour but in project design the speed may remain at 160 km, according to the sources.

At an event held this week, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong outlined three key points for future cooperation: consolidation of the current phase of CPEC, deepening cooperation in agriculture and mining, and improving people's livelihoods through small but impactful projects.

Jiang highlighted the need for consolidation with the completion of projects like ML-I and Karachi Circular Railway. The ambassador did not mention any road projects. According to PC-I of the ML-I project, approved in November 2022, a 1,733km-long route will be rehabilitated and 482 underpasses, 53 flyovers, 130 biker bridges and 130 stations will be constructed along the route. But this plan will now undergo drastic changes.

PM Kakar desired the "formulation of a comprehensive reform strategy for Pakistan Railways to maximise benefits of the ML-1", said a press statement.

Pakistan Railways does not have the fiscal muscle to take a $5.8 billion Chinese loan on its books, as the entity remains highly mismanaged like other state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises (CCOSOEs). The State-Owned Enterprises (Ownership and Management) Policy, 2023 was re-submitted to the committee for review, after incorporation of the feedback received from members of the committee.

The committee reviewed the changes incorporated into the draft and recommended a revised policy for approval from the cabinet, according to the Ministry of Finance.

It added that the SOE policy marked a crucial step towards enhancing the governance and operations of state-run companies, aligning with the broader objectives outlined in the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Act, 2023.

The IMF has set a condition to get the policy approved and make a central monitoring unit effective before the end of November.

The CCOSOEs made certain changes in the policy pertaining to the board of directors of SOEs, human resources, code of conduct, fit and proper criteria and public disclosure.

After approval of the policy from the cabinet, Finance Minister Akhtar and Adviser to the PM on Establishment Ahad Cheema will have to resign from some of the boards of public sector enterprises where they sit as members. Their continuation will be a violation of the new policy.