Pakistan Railways to earn Rs 12b from freight trains

Pakistan Railways would generate more than Rs 12 billion revenue through freight trains during the current financial year. The organization was hoping to cross the set revenue generation targets in freight sector this year, an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

"Fast Cargo" train would also run between Karachi to Rawalpindi to help generating more revenue, he added. "Pakistan Railways had allocated around 85 to 90 locomotives for freight trains," the official added. He said that 55 locomotives were scheduled to arrive soon from United States and would be attached with freight trains. Pakistan Railways during the financial year 2013-14 loaded 76,307 wagons against loading of 46,617 wagons in the corre- sponding period of year 201213, thus 29,619 more wagons were loaded in the year 201314, he said.

He said that the earning from freight loading during 2013-14, was Rs. 3.529 billion whereas during the corresponding period (2012-13) was Rs.1.957 billion. The net increase in earning was Rs. 1.572 billion with growth of 80.33% in one year, he added. The official said however, freight loading during 20142015 was 176,155 wagons against loading of 76,307 wagons during 2013-2014.

The earning from freight loading during 2014-2015 was Rs.8.346 billion against earning of Rs.3.529 billion during the corresponding period. The net increase in freight earning remained Rs.4.817 billion with growth of 136 per cent during year 2014-15.