Pakistan Railways has devised a strategy to replace outdated signal equipment on the mainline route between Lodhran, Multan, Khanewal, and Shahdara Bagh. According to a railway official who spoke to the media, the Pakistan Railways has allocated Rs 1 billion for the project named "Replacement of outdated and antiquated signal gear from Lodhran-Multan-Khanewal-Shahdara Bagh mainline section."

Computer Based Interlocking is used to automate the signalling system at 44 stations in the Shandadpur-Mirpur Mathelo and Lodhran-Shahdara Bagh sections. Due to the initiative's quick functioning in the automated sector, he said that train arrival and departure timing has been much improved. Engineering restrictions on the railway tracks are being lifted to reduce the travel time of passenger trains.

He said Pakistan Railways is actively pursuing the Main Line-I Project under the China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation to upgrade its track, which has experienced delays for the previous four years. He added the ML-I Project has already received Rs 5 billion in funding for the current fiscal year 2022–2023, and on completion the project will raise train speed from 120 to 160 km per hour. He said that the Pakistan Railways has purchased 230 modern passenger coaches from China, which will offer passengers a comfortable ride in accordance with international standards.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk