Pakistan Railways incurred a loss of Rs. 79.093 millions in last three years, Bilour tells National Assembly

Pakistan Railways incurred a loss of Rs. 79.093 millions in last three years, Bilour tells National Assembly

Islamabad: (Wednesday, January 04, 2012) Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour here today, told the National Assembly that Pakistan Railways had suffered a loss of Rs. 79.093 million during last three years.

Replying to a question during Question Hour, he said that the PR suffered a loss of Rs.23.023 million in 2008-09, Rs.24.979 million in 2009-10 and Rs.31.091 million in 2010-11.

He said less availability of locomotives, increase in salary and pension of employees and being a public service/commercial entity were the main reasons for the loss.

At present, only 144 locomotives were in working condition out of 494 locomotives in books, he added.

Bilour said that 293 locomotives were ineffective while 57 were temporarily deleted on account of imported/local spare parts.

The minister said that 33 persons had died and 50 sustained injuries in train accidents during the last three years. A sum of Rs.6,320,000 was paid to the injured persons while Rs.14,700,000 was disbursed to heirs of deceased.

To another question, the minister said that the PR fare was increased in 2011 due to hike in fuel prices and operational expenses.

These losses, presented by the minister for railways definitely do not include the bailout money that the government has been dolling out to salvage what of one of the most important public transport is left.

Lately, independent investigations and judiciary has clearly observed that there have been cases of huge corruption in railways in which all authorities –  from bottom to top, have been found involved.

Although Pakistan Railways needs budget for its overhauling, for buying new locomotives and for reclaiming its tracks, but this is very much possible only by selling some of its land currently occupied by land mafia, in a transparent
manner.

In the neighbouring country, India, the railways had been through a similar condition, when an illiterate minister took its reigns in to his hands and ensured elimination of corruption from the department, now it is making huge
profits. If instead of cronies, able people are appointed to do the job, Pakistan Railways can also witness its long awaited revival.

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Posted by Fayyaz Yaseen on Jan 4 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry