By Muhammad Faisal Kaleem
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: Pakistan Railways (PR) is investing more than Rs31 billion to upgrade and rehabilitate railway tracks across the country.
The investment covers six major development projects. These projects aim to improve safety, boost efficiency and provide faster services for passengers and freight operators.
According to an official document available with Wealth Pakistan, Pakistan Railways is executing all projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
In the Sukkur Division, Pakistan Railways will carry out track safety work on the Rohri–Khanpur section at a cost of Rs4.87 billion. It will also upgrade the Tando Adam–Rohri section with an estimated investment of Rs4.83 billion.
In the Karachi Division, the department will complete essential track safety work on the Keamari–Hyderabad section at a cost of Rs5.4 billion.
Pakistan Railways will also upgrade the Khanewal–Shahdara section through Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura. This project covers the Multan and Lahore divisions and will cost Rs6.3 billion.
In the Multan Division, the Sher Shah–Kundian section will receive safety upgrades costing Rs4.9 billion. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways will complete track safety work on the Rohri–Sibi section in the Sukkur Division at a cost of Rs5.49 billion.
These projects will make train travel safer and more reliable. They will also reduce travel time between major railway stations.
After completion, passengers will save 55 minutes on the Tando Adam–Rohri section and 27 minutes on the Rohri–Khanpur route. Travel time will drop by 25 minutes on the Keamari–Hyderabad section.
Similarly, the Khanewal–Shorkot–Faisalabad–Qila Sheikhupura–Shahdara route will save 40 minutes. The Rohri–Sibi section will save 56 minutes, while the Sher Shah–Kundian section will see the highest reduction of 106 minutes.