Islamabad: Pakistan Railways (PR) has initiated the local production of 184 high-speed passenger coaches, a first for the nation, under a technology-transfer agreement with China, as reported by a news source on March 1.
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As disclosed in the details, the procurement of materials from China and pre-shipment inspections are underway, with manufacturing taking place at the Islamabad carriage factory. These coaches, capable of speeds up to 140km per hour, aim to replace older models, enhancing efficiency.
A previous agreement with China included the procurement of 230 high-speed coaches, with 46 units already received. Additionally, modern goods wagons designed for speeds of up to 100km per hour are being acquired, with 620 to be locally manufactured.
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The adoption of advanced suspension technology and complete knock-down manufacturing methodology from China reflects a commitment to operational efficiency and passenger comfort. PR plans to expand its freight wagon fleet to 4,000 units gradually, aiming for an annual revenue of Rs85 billion by June 30, 2024, as part of efforts to modernise infrastructure and improve service quality.