Pakistan Railways has started as many as 11 passengers and four freight trains during the last nine months to facilitate the passengers and earn more revenue for the department.
The previous government had only initiated seven trains during the last five years from 2013-18, an official in the Ministry of Railways said. He said there were number of proposals, under consideration by the government to introduce new trains during the next five years subject to availability of resources, especially coaches, goods wagons and locomotives.
To a question, the official said at present Pakistan Railways had 460 diesel electric locomotives, out of which, 325 were functional while 135 were non-functional.
Out of 135 non-functional locomotives, he said 69 Chinese locomotives were in need of repair due to various design defects and the department had planned to undertake rehabilitation/modernization of these locomotives which was under process with Chinese and Turkish Railways.
He said four locomotives were under condemnation process in light of condemnation plan and these engines were over aged and rendered their service more than 32 to 50 years against the economical life of 20 years.
The official said seven locomotives met with accidents on various dates, fabrication work and procurement of spares was under process and these engines would be in operation after the completion of work.
He said 55 engines were under normal maintenance, periodical maintenance schedules which was regular feature and the diesel electric locomotives would be rolled out after repair turn by turn.
To another question, Pakistan Railways had generated Rs39.010 billion up to March 2019 which was Rs3.706 billion more than the previous financial year during the same period by winning the confidence of the passengers.
He said Pakistan Railways had suffered no losses during the current financial year due to dedicated efforts of the present government and employees of the organization.
During the last financial year (2018), the official said Pakistan Railways had earned Rs35.304 billion.
He said Pakistan Railways had taken several steps to improve financial position of the department and started 24 new trains with the same rolling stock and human resource.
Introduction of trains tracking system had contributed in reducing the fuel consumption by 1.5 million litres, he added.