Syed Marwan Shah

Railroad transport would be boosted by including new passenger carriages in Pakistan Railways’ fleet, reports WealthPK. Pakistan has acquired its first batch of 46 contemporary, cutting-edge passenger coaches from China out of 230 units. In 2021, Pakistan Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CRRC Tangshan Co. Ltd. China to purchase 230 passenger coaches and 800 freight wagons. In addition, the company will also transfer its technology to the country.

While speaking to a Pakistan railway official on the condition of anonymity informed WealthPK that with the inclusion of these state-of-the-art passenger coaches into the railways fleet, railroad transportation would be boosted. The coaches are well equipped with modern amenities that will ease the commuters. Furthermore, the official added that they can travel at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour.

“With the help of the transfer of technology, the remaining 184 passenger coaches will be manufactured in Pakistan by railway engineers and technical staff under the supervision of Chinese experts,” the official continued. Once brand-new coaches are introduced into the railway fleet, the official stated that the fleet will be upgraded and enhanced. Furthermore, the introduction of these brand-new coaches will also improve long-distance services throughout the country.

According to information available with WealthPK, out of 230 passenger coaches, 80 will be economy class, 80 will be air-conditioned, and 30 will be reserved for railway officers. In addition, there will be 20 luggage vans and 20 brake vans. In the first batch of coaches, out of the 46 Completely Built Units (CBUs), there are 16 economy-class coaches as well as 16 air-conditioned coaches. Moreover, there are also six AC parlor coaches, four luggage vans, and four brake vans are included.

While it is estimated that each economy-class coach costs $694,000, a standard air-conditioned coach costs $794,000, and an air-conditioned parlor costs $859,000 to the railways. However, luggage vans would cost $644,000 each, and brake vans would cost $676,000 each. According to WealthPK research, the huge investment in the railway sector of Pakistan will help in boosting the national economy and enhance economic activities in the country.

Moreover, future socioeconomic growth depends upon improvements in road and rail infrastructure that provide connectivity to support industrial development and help people make easier access to schools, hospitals, sanitation, and other services.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk