International studies identified that the growing pace of urbanization will place added stress on already straining city systems and infrastructure, requiring urban areas to be far more efficient. But denser urban areas could also offer opportunities for forms of transport, like rail, that rely on density to function efficiently.
In 2050, passenger and freight rail will form the backbone of the transport system, linking major urban hubs and feeding into multi-model local transport networks.
In developing countries like Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan is taking steps to enhance the performance of Pakistan Railways to offer maximum facilities to passengers. Pakistan Railways no doubt offers a significant mode of transportation in the farthest corners of Pakistan and brings them closer to business, sightseeing, pilgrimage and education. It has been a great integrating force and forms the lifeline of the country by catering to its needs for large-scale movement of people and freight. Statistics identified that Pakistan Railways is one of the major modes of transport in the public sector which promotes national integration and economic growth in the country.
Pakistan Railways comprised a total of 466 Locomotives for a 7,791 Km route length. During July-March FY2022, the gross earnings of railways are recorded at Rs 43,731.59 million. Sources recorded that in 2014, the Ministry of Railways introduced Pakistan Railways Vision 2026, which seeks to increase Pakistan Railway’s share in the country’s transportation sector from 4 percent to 20 percent, using the Rs. 886.68 billion (US$3.9 billion) China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) rail upgrade. The plan includes building new locomotives, developing and improving current rail infrastructure, an increase in average train speed, improving on-time performance and expansion of passenger services.
Increased flooding from heavy precipitation and storm surges could disrupt rail travel as well as freight operations.
The management of Pakistan Railways has been trying to provide the best facilities to their passengers. Presently, the railway authorities have reduced the fares of containers chugging between Karachi and various cities of Punjab and KPK. Container fares from Karachi will be reduced by Rs 10,000. Sources recorded in their statistics that container fares have been reduced from Rs 170,000 to Rs 160,000 while the fare of the big freight bogie has also been reduced by Rs 10,000 from Rs 195,000 to Rs 185,000. The fare of the small freight bogie has been reduced from Rs 182,000 to Rs170,000, reflecting a drop of Rs12,000. Similarly, the fare of the big high copper wagon has been reduced from Rs432,420 to Rs409,070, explaining a fall of Rs23,350. Furthermore, the fare of the small high copper wagon has been reduced by Rs 20,990 to Rs 263,825 from the earlier Rs 284,815.
Meanwhile, the railways also planned to expedite work on the installation of an electric arc furnace at the Mughulpura workshops. According to the sources, approximately 75 percent of foundation work had been completed. Meanwhile, the railways planned to restore Greenline Train between Rawalpindi and Karachi via Lahore from the next month. Furthermore, it was also planned that the Greenline Train would be operated as a superior service with 2 coaches of AC Parlour, 5 AC Business, and 6 AC Standard whereas 4-5 economy class coaches will also be included.
It is also directed to reduce the time of the train between Lahore and Karachi to facilitate people in the country. It was also planned that the best-traveling facilities, including quality meals, would be offered on the train. A separate LCD will be installed with each seat of the AC Parlour compartment.
Presently Pakistan Railways has received a consignment of 46 high-speed latest coaches from China, paving the way for the provision of state-of-the-art traveling facilities to the masses in Pakistan. After receipt of 46 completely built units (CBUs) manufactured in China, Pakistan Railways is set to soon start manufacturing 184 similar coaches at its carriage factory in Islamabad in association with Chinese engineers under the technology-transfer component of the 230 coaches’ purchase contract.
Pakistan Railways similarly, would soon receive many consignments of 200 modern goods/freight wagons from China, and after receipt of these wagons, it would start manufacturing 620 wagons of similar designs at its Mughalpura workshop and the carriage factory in Risalpur under the technology-transfer segment of the contract.
In last, I would like to mention that the rail industry hasn’t traditionally been known for being especially fleet-footed or quick to react, but now with the rapid pace of technological, demographic and environmental change, it is likely to be declared agile and dynamic in the days to come.