ISLAMABAD: Under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, Pakistan Railways would rehabilitate and upgrade main track from Karachi to Peshawar.
“The feasibility study for rehabilitation and upgradation of the main track is in progress,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP. The official said that on completion of the CPEC, speed on main line will be increased from 105 kms to 160 kms. Moreover, used material of this project would also be utilised for improvement and strengthening of branch lines.
Apart from this, the official said five years plan was also being prepared for rehabilitation and improvement of railways network. Elaborating further, he said the railways line from Karachi-Peshawar having length of 1681 kms was fairly in good condition, however, upgrdation was required to run speed trains.
In the current financial year, an allocation of Rs.11,256 million have been allocated for rehabilitation of track and allied structures, the official added. He said Railways department has spent billions of rupees on rehabilitation of track infrastructure to provide better transportation facilities to people.
To a question, he said Ministry of Railways has substantially improved capacity of Carriage Workshop Lahore from 30 coaches per month in year 2013 to 60-70 at present. Besides, the official said Carriage Factory Islamabad has been diversified which in addition to manufacturing of new coaches also started overhauling of passenger coaches.
