Islamabad: Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Saturday has announced Pakistan Railways’ (PR) plans to narrow the PKR 5 billion revenue loss it is incurring per month due to the closure of railway operations amid the coronavirus lockdown, according to news sources. These plans include establishing 1,000 marquees on its land throughout the country.
The divisional superintendents have been directed to establish marquees and food stalls upon the vacant railway-owned lands in their respective areas.
In his press briefing, Minister Rasheed said that the Prime Minister wants to restructure the department and an in-depth meeting has been conducted with him to discuss the matter. Additionally, he said that the PC-I of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has reached its final stages with the ministry of planning, and expressed hope that Main Line (ML-1) project will be launched this year. He termed the year 2020 as a year of ‘revolution for railways’.
He also revealed that with the assistance of China, PR has installed machines at stations to detect coronavirus infected patients from a 50-ft distance. Minister Rasheed said that his department was hoping to eliminate the PKR 34 billion deficit of the department in five years. However, this was rendered difficult owing to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
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