Over 100 locomotives added to Pakistan Railways

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Railways has added 113 locomotives to its fleet after their complete overhauling since 2013, which is ensuring smooth and efficient operations of passengers and freight services.

“Dedicated efforts of Pakistan Railways management and increased spending on the repair and maintenance have ensured availability of operational locomotives from 180 in May, 2013 to 293 at present,” official sources told the local media.

Pakistan Railways has a fleet of 448 diesel electric locomotives, out of which 293 D.E locomotives are operating on railway tracks at present in the country they added.

However, the sources said, during May 2013, only 74 locomotives (41 per cent) were on full complements i.e. six (06) traction motors while remaining were with 2 to 4 traction motors and could not pull the requisite trailing load, resulting in 11 failures per working loco during the year.

Regarding amount incurred on maintenance/repair of DE locomotives, the sources said during last five years 13413.039 million were spent for the purpose.

The year-wise details showed that during 2011-12, an amount of Rs. 1220.684 million was spent on maintenance/repair of DE locomotives, Rs. 2223.875 million during 2012-13, Rs. 2643.806 million during 2013-14, Rs. 4159.057 million during 2014-15 and Rs. 3165.617 were incurred during 2015-16.

The sources said it is evident that the expenditure on maintenance/repair of locomotives substantially increased during last three-year which is reflected in their increased availability and reliability.