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Hazara Express inaugurated after renovation
APP
LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday inaugurated the Hazara Express after its renovation. Talking to media, he said that the Pakistan Railways (PR) and the Pakistan Railway Advisery and Consultancy Services (PRACS) have worked together for the improvement of Hazara Express.
The railways minister said that some new facilities have been added in it, besides improving the existing facilities.
“New added facilities include: announcement facility for passengers, curtains for ensuring privacy of women, prayer area, first-aid facility and arrangements for providing food in boxes, keeping in view the health standards,” he added.
Saad Rafique said that an action plan has been formulated in order to bring improvement in passenger trains. “The department is working to increase the composition of passenger trains, for which 91 coaches are required that will be attached with different trains and after which the department will earn a profit of Rs 1 billion annually,” he added. He said that the department focused on ending unnecessary stopovers, adding that all stops were being pointed out that caused loss to the department.
He lamented that unfortunately in past the stoppages were given on political basis.
The railways minister said that luggage van would also be introduced and it would be available in all big trains.
He further said that the PR would cut fares after the reduction in prices of petroleum products (POL), adding that fares would be reduced from train to train. He said that the National Logistic Cell (NLC) locomotives would become part of the system from January 1, adding that in 2015, the PR would earn Rs 8 billion from its freight sector. Responding to a question, Saad Rafique said that at least five years were needed to convert all unmanned-level crossings into manned-level crossing.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk