Lahore-Karachi rail track to be doubled before Dec 31: Rashid


http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=43393

By our correspondent

HAFIZABAD: Lahore to Karachi rail track would be doubled with Rs 50 billion before December 31, said Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday.


Addressing a big gathering here at the city's railway station, he added new and fast trains would start plying soon and that invitations of investment have been given to 50 international companies in this aspect.


The minister also said time table of trains' service used to be finalised by Railways officers in connivance with transporters but now this malpractice has been eliminated.

Thirty-two new trains including Sir Syed Express and Nishtar Express would be started during next one month, while more new trains would run on Faisalabad-Wazirabad rail section, which would end problems of passengers, he claimed.


There, he also approved underpasses at Bijli Mohallah and Sherpura construction work on which would start soon.

Earlier, he inaugurated a new Wazirabad-Sangla Hill rail track, which has cost Rs 200 million.


The minister also mentioned that Railways is collecting Rs 700,000 daily as fine from passengers who travel on trains with tickets.

Online adds from Sangla Hill: Addressing an inauguration ceremony of the double track from here to Wazirabad at the lawn of railway station, Railways minister said " It is my first priority to overcome deficit of Railways and convert it into a profitable entity and I appeal to people to purchase tickets while journeying by train."

He claimed laying of double track, reduction in 22 kilometres distance between Deena and Sohawa, bullet train plan, purchase of 75 new locomotives, revamping of old tracks and modernisation of Railways would prove as key point in the development of the country.

Sheikh Rasheed further said the government is contemplating to launch bullet train and contract of Rs 5.5 billion has been awarded in this connection but, he added, this would take some time for Implementation. "Locomotives purchased from China were not up to our standard and now 75 new locomotives are being purchased," he told.

He announced Jafar Express stop has been approved at Wazirabad and said construction of a booking office at Wazirabad was delayed due to row among the contractors.

The minister also announced to enhance salaries of five categories of railway employees including SM and shutting porters.

In the end, he declared special trains would be operated on March 23 from Rawalpindi to Karachi via Lahore to pay tribute to PML workers who participated in the Pakistan Movement.

Later, on a different note, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed made it clear that President Gen Pervez Musharraf had announced to hold general elections in fair and transparent manner as per schedule and it would be done so.

He further added Opposition is making a hue and cry about polls rigging because it fears treatment they would get at the hands of the people during the elections.

The minister also viewed President Musharraf vision and the enlightened polices for socio economic development of the people have become a golden chapter in the history of the country and that this government is the first since independence, which has taken steps to improve quality of life of common man at grassroots level.

when ever he gives a statement it makes me laugh......
Rail trak is allready Double from Lodhran to Karachi .... and they are contructing from Lodhran to Lahore since last 4 Years it was supposed to be completed 1 or 2 years ago...........

at least something is being done n when this whole rail track will b doubled traveling time will reduced by 6 hrs and let me tell u its hell of a time and travel has got better on train i travel from rwp to khi n back in lower ac n it has improved when i last travelled abt 5 yrs back.

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