The government has so far released Rs12,779 million for execution of 36 different projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2022-23) against a total allocation of around Rs32,440 million, says official data available with WealthPK. Out of the total authorization/disbursement of Rs12,779 million, around Rs12,600 million has been utilized by the Railways’ Division for different projects during the seven-month period (July-January) of the current fiscal year.

According to the documents, Rs26,648.036 million has been earmarked for 32 ongoing projects, out of which Rs15,974.500 million has been reserved for the procurement and manufacture of 820 high-capacity bogie freight wagons and 230 passenger coaches. An amount of Rs2,300 million has been allocated for the special repair of 100 diesel-electric locomotives to improve their reliability and availability.

Similarly, an amount of Rs1,000 million has been earmarked for the replacement of old and obsolete signal gear from Lodhran-Multan-Khanewal-Shahdara Bagh mainline section of Pakistan Railways, while an amount of Rs6,000 million has been kept for four new schemes, out of which Rs5,000 million would be utilized for upgradation of the railways existing Mainline-I and establishment of a dry port near Havelian (2018-22) Phase-1, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). An amount of Rs600 million would be earmarked to replace track machines. Similarly, an amount of Rs200 million has been allocated for converting the braking system of 328 MBFRS from vacuum to air brake.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk