Pakistan has launched a Rupees 10.7 billion modern signalling system project on the 433-km Lodhran-Khanewal-Lahore section of Pakistan Railways. The system would improve operational efficiency, safety and punctuality of trains, Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro said on the occasion. The project will put in place a computer-based modern signalling system on the railway track between Lodhran and Lahore, replacing the obsolete and manual-based mechanical inter-locking system. Soomro said technology was fast improving, bringing in efficiency and cost effectiveness and we have to adopt new technologies in order to share their benefits. He said with railways all over the world improving their performance and service delivery, Pakistan Railways needs to improve its operational efficiency and customer service and make itself financially viable. The Prime Minister said the government is fully aware of the importance of railways as an essential component of the national transport strategy and has been making serious efforts to improve its performance. He said significant investments have been made in the past few years to rehabilitate the railways aging assets, modernize its technology base and enhance its capacity to meet the growing demand, both in freight as well as passenger sector.
