Pakistan Railways has announced plans to procure 230 passenger carriages and 820 high-capacity freight wagons as part of the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Pakistan Modernizes Railways: Procurement of 230 New Carriages

This initiative aims to modernize the country’s rail transport, which will increase train speeds and ensure strict adherence to schedules.

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Of the total passenger carriages to be procured, 46 will be delivered in a fully built-up (CBU) condition from abroad, while the remaining 184 will be manufactured in Pakistan.

These carriages will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, which will significantly improve the country’s rail connectivity.

According to a representative from the Ministry of Railways, current efforts by Pakistan Railways are focused on completing extensive repair and reconstruction of railway lines. This, in turn, will allow for increased locomotive speeds and ensure timely passenger delivery.

In addition to rolling stock upgrades, Pakistan is actively modernizing its infrastructure.

Notably, the upgrade of railway and signaling systems on the Karachi to Peshawar route, which runs along the Main Line I (ML-I), has been completed.

Moreover, the doubling of the railway line on the 462.20 km section from Lahore to Peshawar is underway. These measures will enhance the overall capacity of the railways and improve service quality.

One of the key infrastructure improvement projects is the modernization of the ML-I mainline as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This project aims to increase train speeds to 160 km/h on a 1,726-kilometer section.

The Ministry of Railways also stated that the new carriages, which will be used on this line, will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, significantly reducing travel time.

It is also important to note that Pakistan Railways has a fleet of 4,000 diesel-electric locomotives with power ratings ranging from 4,500 to 55 horsepower.

These locomotives are intended for freight transportation, and their use will achieve maximum cargo capacity at high speeds.

Additionally, to improve the signaling system on the ML-I mainline, Computer-Based Interlocking (CBI) equipment has been installed at 48 stations. This technological upgrade contributes to enhanced safety and train speeds.

All these measures are aimed at modernizing and improving Pakistan’s rail transport operations, which should positively impact the country’s economic development and increase passenger satisfaction with the quality of services provided.

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