PR ready to transport coal

A meeting between Pakistan Railways and representative of the Punjab government was held at the weekend to review coal transportation in the province.

Pakistan Railways minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, headed the team of PR administration, while Provincial Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Jahanzeb Khan, led the delegation from the Punjab government.

A number of coal transportation issues, including the shipment of coal in Karachi and its transportation to the mainland, were discussed in the meeting. The delegation informed the minister that the PR was ready to carry coal to Punjab’s energy generation projects, if targeted planning was made on a priority basis. With priority basis planning, PR would not face difficulties when shifting its rail network to freight as well as passenger transportation.

The Punjab government has already announced the construction of six energy projects. Pakistan Railways has declared its offer for the transportation of coal to desired destinations.

The meeting between the two groups was part of the announced process for coal energy projects. The PR minister stressed that the country’s railways would need high horse power locomotives in order to transport large quantities of coal at a time with better load volume and minimal disruption of passenger trains.

Edited from various sources by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/handling/10022014/pakistan_railways_ready_to_transport_coal_490/