Country’s railway tracks in poor condition – Here’s what you need to know
Railways in Pakistan needs due attention because about 1482 unmanned level crossings on operational sections and approximately 80 percent of the bridges and railway tracks are expired in fact they have passed the very due date of expiry. Even the officials have said that in order to avoid any serious accident or mishap.
The bridges are even 100 years old. Even though they are being rehabilitated and maintained but still, they require special attention to avoid any accidents.
With respect to the classification of tracks, i.e. the tracks which are overage in the railway system, the list is as follows:
- By different years, the design life of the minor and major bridges in the Railway system varies. These minor and major bridges are total 13, 959 in number. Approximately 86% of the bridges are more than 100 years old. But, the continuous and proper strengthening, rehabilitation and maintenance of these bridges all over the country had made them safe and working till date. Therefore due to the proper maintenance, these railway bridges are considered as safe.
- Different schedules such as monthly, quarterly, biannually and annually are being followed for the SOPs for the inspection of the bridge.
- Pakistan Railways is planning to upgrade Main Line-1. Mainline (except Khanewal-Shor Kot-Faisalabad-Shahdara Section) from Karachi to Peshawar via Lahore under CPEC project. During the next five years not only the entire railway line would be upgraded but the track between the Lahore to Peshawar via Rawalpindi would also be dualized.
- Under different PSDP Projects, Sleeper Renewal, Complete Track Renewal and Rail Renewal, 730 km track has been partially rehabilitated and which is in good working condition. And in Sukkur Division, a PC-1 for rehabilitation of Bridges and Track is in process.
- Approximately, 230 bridges under various development projects have been rehabilitated recently.
- Moreover, on an annual basis, all the bridges are not only inspected, but their maintenance and minor repairing are carried out departmentally in a regular routine in order to ensure the safety of Railways.
In the operational sections of Pakistan Railways, there are approximately 2777 level crossings. Out of which 1482 are Unmanned, and 1295 are Manned.
As per the prescribed standard, in order to maintain the Level Crossings, a regular inspection of Level Crossings (Road Portion and Track Portion) is being done by the Field Engineers and Supervisors.
As per schedule and standards for the safe running of the trains, the parameters of the track are fully maintained. But, annually a complete overhauling of all level crossings are carried out. The Road owning authorities are responsible for the maintenance and bearing the cost of Level Crossing in case of the deposit work. The sponsoring agencies are responsible for the maintenance charges of the maintenance carried out in the Railway System.