Pakistan Railways track rehabilitation plan targets speed limits

Pakistan Railways track rehabilitation is set to receive more than Rs31 billion after the operator approved six development schemes to upgrade critical parts of the national network, according to Profit Pakistan Today.

The projects are being implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and are intended to address infrastructure weaknesses linked to chronic passenger delays and elevated safety risks.

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Official documents describe the PSDP rail projects as focused on track safety, improved operational efficiency and the return of more reliable passenger and freight services, as outlined by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Worn-out track has led to widespread engineering restrictions aimed at reducing derailment risks. That has left trains designed for up to 110 kilometres per hour typically running at 55–78 kilometres per hour, while officials warn that exceeding 100 kilometres per hour on many sections could trigger serious accidents.

For passengers, the restrictions have brought repeated disruption. Delays of seven to nine hours are increasingly common, and some services are cancelled outright because of track conditions. In some cases, travellers spend several additional hours waiting at stations before being shifted to alternate trains.

Karachi–Sukkur corridor delays and engineering restrictions

The Karachi–Sukkur rail corridor remains one of the most affected stretches of the network. More than 100 engineering restrictions are currently enforced on this section, keeping average speeds for both passenger and freight trains at around 50 to 55 kilometres per hour, even though locomotives and rolling stock are fully functional.

Other key routes, including sections serving Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, allow only marginally higher speeds of about 78 to 80 kilometres per hour. Even on these stretches, drivers are required to apply brakes immediately if trains briefly reach 90 to 100 kilometres per hour due to safety constraints.

Rs31 billion investment: section-by-section project costs

Official estimates put track safety works on the Rohri–Khanpur section in Sukkur Division at Rs4.87 billion, while rehabilitation of the Tando Adam–Rohri section is budgeted at around Rs4.83 billion. Essential safety upgrades on the Keamari–Hyderabad section in Karachi Division carry an estimated cost of Rs5.4 billion.

Track safety works on the Khanewal–Shahdara section via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura—covering the Multan and Lahore divisions—are projected to cost Rs6.3 billion. The Sher Shah–Kundian section in Multan Division will require an estimated Rs4.9 billion, while rehabilitation of the Rohri–Sibi section in Sukkur Division is expected to cost Rs5.49 billion, as also reported by The Express Tribune.

How Pakistan Railways track rehabilitation aims to cut delays?

Railway authorities say completing the six schemes will ease speed restrictions, reduce derailment risks and significantly cut delays. The expectation is that this will help restore passenger confidence while improving freight movement across the network.

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