ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (ABC): Pakistan Railways (PR) is investing over Rs31 billion in six major development projects aimed at the upgradation and rehabilitation of the country’s railway network.

The move will improve safety standards, enhance operational efficiency and provide better, faster and more reliable services to passengers and freight operators nationwide.

According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, these projects are being executed under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

The work on track safety from Rohri to Khanpur section in Sukkur Division has been estimated at Rs4.87 billion. Similarly, track safety project from Tando Adam to Rohri section in Sukkur Division will be carried out against an estimated cost of Rs4.83 billion.

Essential track safety works on Keamari to Hyderabad section in Karachi Division are estimated to be accomplished with a cost of Rs5.4 billion.

Likewise, essential track safety works on Khanewal to Shahdara section via Shorkot, Faisalabad and Qila Sheikhupura, covering both Multan and Lahore divisions, will cost Rs6.3 billion. Essential track safety works on Sher Shah to Kundian section in Multan division is estimated to cost Rs4.9 billion. And essential track safety work on the Rohri to Sibi section in Sukkur division will cost Rs5.49 billion.

The projects will not only make travel safer and more convenient but also reduce the travel time between major railway stations.

As per document available with Wealth Pakistan, all these projects, on completion, will save 55 minutes of travel time on Tando Adam to Rohri section, 27 minutes on Rohri to Khanpur, 25 minutes on Keamari–Hyderabad section, 40 minutes on Khanewal–Shorkot–Faisalabad–Qila Sheikhupura–Shahdara section, 56 minutes on Rohri–Sibi section and 106 minutes on the Sher Shah–Kundian section.