Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said that the increased railway fares cannot be reduced immediately. Those traveling without tickets and those allowing it will be sent to jail, as Pakistan Railways suffers an annual loss of Rs. 1 billion due to ticketless travel.
Addressing traders and industrialists at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minister for Railways said that Wi-Fi facilities are being provided at 40 stations, 155 stations are being solarized—60% already completed—while work is underway to solarize 27 stations in Karachi.
He said that the coaches and engines received eight years ago were of very poor quality, and investigations have been initiated. Trains have been delayed due to floods, which has also caused operational and revenue losses.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi further stated that there is a huge demand for freight trains; two trains have been provided to NLC, and they are demanding 10 more. Pakistan Railways has received multiple demands for coal transportation. Out of 14,000 to 15,000 containers being transported, Railways is only handling 150. Freight trains are also being outsourced.
He said that Reko Diq will mature by 2028, for which freight services will be required. Railway properties will not be sold but can be leased out.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said that under the anti-encroachment campaign, railway properties worth Rs. 15 billion have been retrieved, and this year, land worth Rs. 50 billion will be recovered.
The Federal Minister said that an important agreement is being made with the Sindh government under which Sindh Solid Waste Management will handle cleaning at Karachi Railway Station and all trains.
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With this agreement, the washing process of trains will be reduced from three hours to one and a half hours. Through fumigation, passengers will also be relieved from bedbugs and insects.
