Syed Marwan Shah

Pakistan Railways (PR) will begin receiving the first batch of 230 new passenger coaches ordered from China in December, the PR spokesperson said. The PR signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CRRC Tangshan Co Ltd China in 2021 for the purchase of 230 passenger coaches and 800 freight wagons. In addition, the company will also conduct technology transfers.

According to the spokesperson, the brand-new high-speed coaches will be well equipped with modern amenities. They are capable of traveling at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour which will save time of passengers.

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, the PR will receive 46 completely built units (CBUs). A total of 16 economy class CBUs are to be delivered from China, as well as 16 air-conditioned CBU coaches. Out of 46 coaches, six will be AC parlour coaches, four luggage vans, and four brake vans.

While it is estimated that each economy-class coach would cost $694,000, a standard air-conditioned coach would cost $794,000, and an air-conditioned parlour will cost $859,000 upon arrival in Pakistan. However, luggage vans would cost $644,000, and brake vans would cost $676,000 each.

The PR fleet will be upgraded and enhanced once the brand-new coaches are introduced into the fleet. These new coaches will improve long-distance services across the country.

Currently, Pakistan's rail network consists of three main lines -- ML-1, ML-2, and ML-3. Peshawar is the starting point of ML-1, which ends at Karachi through Lahore. The total length of this route is 1,681 kilometres. The ML-2 route connects Attock with Kotri. The total length of this route is 1,243 kilometres. The ML-3 starts from Rohri and ends at Taftan, covering 966 kilometres.

The huge investment in the railway sector of Pakistan will help in boosting the economy and enhance economic activities in the country.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), future socio-economic growth depends upon improvement in road and rail infrastructure that provides connectivity to support industrial development and helps people make easier access to schools, hospitals, sanitation, and other services.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk