Pakistan Railways (PR) will get 25 diesel-electric hybrid locomotives in near future. The department will then replace old engines with new, eco-friendly ones in an effort towards ensuring environmental preservation.
According to the details, the railway’s department plans to do so in the coming three years with a budget of Rs. 14 billion.
The PR official told the media men that at present the department has 51 locomotives in service. The plan is to finally replace all locomotives with diesel-hybrid ones in order to save fuel and maintenance costs, as well as the environment.
A report further specifics that the new locomotives will consist of 2,000-2,500 horsepower as well as better fuel economy. These engines will easily be maintained and operated as compared to the older ones.
An amount of Rs. 2.3 billion has been earmarked by the Federal Government to set up a repair facility for about 100 diesel-hybrid locomotives.
Moreover, the department has recently announced that it will get 230 new passenger coaches by December 2022. Details revealed that these coaches will have several up-to-the-minute amenities and can travel up to 160 kilometers per hour.
A PR spokesperson said that the department will initially procure 46 modern passenger coaches from China and manufacture 184 similar coaches at Carriage Factory Islamabad. Each passenger coach consists of 80 compartments for the economy and air-conditioned class, 30 parlor cars, and 20 vans each for luggage and braking.
He further said that PR has been bearing losses of around Rs.100 million each day because of recent floods all over the country. The department has ceased operations indefinitely on different routes as the tracks are still submerged.
Another senior PR official in this regard stated that the rain and floods have destroyed several railway tracks, stalling operations and rendering numerous parts of the country inaccessible. The department is still to restart its operations at full capacity.