Pakistan Railways to invest over Rs31bn in major track safety and upgrade projects

LAHORE (MNN); Pakistan Railways has launched six major development projects worth more than Rs31 billion to upgrade and rehabilitate the country’s railway network, aiming to improve safety, efficiency and service quality for passengers and freight operations.

According to official documents, the projects are being implemented under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and focus primarily on essential track safety and rehabilitation works across multiple divisions.

Track safety works on the Rohri–Khanpur section in Sukkur Division have been estimated at Rs4.87 billion, while a similar project on the Tando Adam–Rohri section will cost Rs4.83 billion.

In Karachi Division, essential track safety works on the Keamari–Hyderabad section are planned at an estimated cost of Rs5.4 billion.

Another major project involves the Khanewal–Shorkot–Faisalabad–Qila Sheikhupura–Shahdara section, covering Multan and Lahore divisions, with an estimated cost of Rs6.3 billion. Track safety works on the Sher Shah–Kundian section in Multan Division are projected at Rs4.9 billion, while the Rohri–Sibi section in Sukkur Division will require Rs5.49 billion.

Railway officials said the projects would not only make train travel safer and more comfortable but also significantly reduce travel time between major stations.

Upon completion, the projects are expected to save 55 minutes on the Tando Adam–Rohri route, 27 minutes on Rohri–Khanpur, 25 minutes on the Keamari–Hyderabad section, 40 minutes on the Khanewal–Shorkot–Faisalabad–Qila Sheikhupura–Shahdara route, 56 minutes on Rohri–Sibi and up to 106 minutes on the Sher Shah–Kundian section.