Pakistan Railways finalizes schedule for rehabilitation of 93 bridges

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Railways will repair 93 railway bridges by June 2017 to ensure the safety of the passengers, it has been learnt.

“Pakistan Railways had already rehabilitated 66 bridges,” official sources in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

"The Railways administration desires to provide quick and safe journey to the travelling public within the shortest possible time,' they added.

“There are 13841 bridges including 532 major and 13309 minor bridges over the system. Most of the bridges were constructed well before partition, when Railway System was introduced in the
subcontinent and have completed their useful life," the sources added.

They said that due to dedicated inspections and regular maintenance, bridges are generally in satisfactory condition for safe train operation.

In rehabilitation following flood damages, out of 69 bridges, 16 have been completed and the remaining will be completed by June 2017, the sources added.

They said the rehabilitated bridges will ensure safety standards, remove speed restrictions imposed on weak bridges, ensure effective maintenance in reducing the operational cost and meet the increased requirements of freight and passengers.

–APP