- Advertisement -
LAHORE, Nov 7 (APP):Pakistan Railways (PR) plans to spend approximately Rs. 100 billion on rehabilitation of 19 branch lines across its network to ensure a safe and reliable journey for passengers and enhance inter-provincial connectivity and urban rail transport.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the department plans to spend Rs. 98.58 billion on upgradation of 19 branch lines across the four provinces with a total length of 2,479 kilometres. Out of this allocation, Rs. 44.411 billion will be spent in Punjab, Rs. 35.955 billion in Sindh, and Rs. 17.217 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Under the plan, eight branch lines will be rehabilitated in Punjab, including 78km Shahdara-Narowal with an estimated cost of Rs. 3,909 million, 62km Narowal-Sialkot line with a spending of Rs. 3,705 million, 370km Raiwind-Kasur-Pakpattan line with an allocation of Rs. 10,709 million, 220km Qila Sheikhupura-Jaranwala-Shorkot line at a cost of Rs. 5,669 million, 147km Shorkot-Jhang-Sargodha line with an estimated cost of Rs. 7,351 million, 167km Sargodha-Malikwal-Lalamusa line with a cost of Rs. 6,432 million, 68km Chak Jhumra-Shahinabad line with a cost of Rs. 3,699 million, and 303km Kashmore-Dera Ghazi Khan-Kot Addu line with a cost of Rs. 2,937 million.
In Sindh, six branch lines will be rehabilitated, including 181km Kotri-Dadu line with an estimated cost of Rs. 2,950 million, 166km Dadu-Habib Kot line with a cost of Rs. 8,217 million, 200km Hyderabad-Mirpur Khas-Marvi line with a cost of Rs. 10,333 million, 87km Rohri-Jacobabad line with a cost of Rs. 5,000 million, 124km Jacobabad-Kashmore line with a cost of Rs. 3,500 million, and 100km Hyderabad-Badin line with a cost of Rs. 5,955 million.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the routes undergoing rehabilitation are 62km Jahangira Road-Peshawar with an estimated cost of Rs. 3,982 million, 65km Nowshera-Dargai with a cost of Rs. 6,197 million, 28km Mardan-Charsadda with a cost of Rs. 2,818 million, and 18km Peshawar-Jamrud with a cost of Rs. 4,217 million.
One route in Balochistan of 33km is also part of the plan with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,000 million (Rs1 billion).
“The initiative marks a significant step toward rehabilitating the country’s railway infrastructure, which has suffered years of neglect, mismanagement, and lack of modernisation,” a deputy secretary from Pakistan Railways told Wealth Pakistan. He said by prioritising passenger safety and service reliability, the government seeks to restore public confidence in Pakistan Railways as an affordable and efficient mode of transportation.
“The proposed plan includes the rehabilitation of old tracks, upgradation of signaling system, and introduction of modern coaches equipped with improved safety features,” he said.
He said the introduction of digital ticketing and real time tracking will enhance transparency and ease for passengers, ensuring a smoother travel experience. The official said this initiative is designed not only to improve travel experience but also to strengthen the economy by facilitating the movement of goods across the country. An efficient rail network can reduce transportation costs, boost trade and commerce, and ease the strain on the country’s overburdened road infrastructure.
By focusing on safety, reliability, and modernization, he said, the government hopes to make rail travel the preferred choice for millions of Pakistanis while contributing to national development and regional connectivity in the years to come.