Federal Minister of Railways Hanif Abbasi has published a one-year directive to eliminate engineering restrictions on the ML-1 railway line, in order to reduce the travel durations on key roads, Express News reported.
Chairing a meeting on Monday at the Railway Headquarters in Lahore, Abbasi was informed of the development of infrastructure and examined the performance of various rail divisions. He asked the authorities to take immediate measures to improve journey times along the ML-1, the main corridor of the railroad tracks in Pakistan.
The Minister also ordered that work on the Karachi – Hyderabad (Kemari – Hyderabad) section will be launched without delay and called for the acceleration of tracking projects on track.
Abbasi has established specific deadlines for infrastructure improvements, asking the project director to deliver sleepers ready to install in the six months. He also asked that a two -year project be completed within one year and that four buffer machines be operational by the end of the year.
Citing the accelerated development model of Shehbaz Sharif from its days as Punjab CM, Abbasi has encouraged the administration of the railways to follow and increase freight income while addressing income leaks.
To improve efficiency and transparency, the minister announced upgrades to the online passenger train booking system and ordered the digitization of the freight gear booking, eliminating human interference.
Abbasi has requested a list of unauthorized residents in the railway colonies and imposed a complete ban on retired officials and unrelated persons who stayed in rail houses.
He also published a performance objective: reaching 90 to 95% punctuality in train operations within three months. “I will personally monitor the punctuality of trains-no train will be delayed in anyone, including the minister,” he said.
Other directives included improving the cleanliness and quality of food in trains. Abbasi has also announced that he would make surprise visits to stations and offices – without notice or staff – to assess performance on the ground.
The monthly performance exams for divisional superintendents (DSS) will be applied. The meeting also approved the installation of elevators in all the main stations, starting with Rawalpindi.
