Pakistan Railways Approves Rs 31B Track Overhaul
Pakistan Railways has greenlit a Rs 31 billion infrastructure upgrade to rehabilitate six major track sections across the country. The investment, approved under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), aims to reduce travel delays, enhance safety, and restore confidence in the national railway network.
Why It Matters
With trains often forced to operate at reduced speeds due to aging tracks, delays and cancellations have become routine across Pakistan’s vast railway system. The upgrade targets key corridors suffering from severe wear and outdated infrastructure, enabling smoother operations and shorter travel times for both passengers and freight services.
Where the Rs 31 Billion Is Going
According to official planning documents, funding will be distributed across the following routes:
- Rohri–Khanpur (Sukkur Division): Rs 4.87 billion
- Tando Adam–Rohri (Sukkur Division): Rs 4.83 billion
- Keamari–Hyderabad (Karachi Division): Rs 5.4 billion
- Khanewal–Shahdara via Shorkot & Faisalabad (Multan & Lahore Divisions): Rs 6.3 billion
- Sher Shah–Kundian (Multan Division): Rs 4.9 billion
- Rohri–Sibi (Sukkur Division): Rs 5.49 billion
How It Will Improve Travel
Railway officials estimate travel time reductions of up to 106 minutes on some routes.
Other corridors may see savings of 25–56 minutes as track speed restrictions are removed.
For instance, the Karachi–Sukkur route, plagued by engineering speed limits, often sees average speeds below 55 km/h. These upgrades aim to enable safer, faster movement better aligning with the capabilities of modern locomotives.
What’s Next for Pakistan Railways
This track upgrade forms part of a broader railway modernization roadmap, following years of underinvestment. Expected benefits include:
- Improved on-time performance
- Lower maintenance costs
- Stronger freight logistics support
- Enhanced passenger experience
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