ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Syed Ashiq Hussain Shah Bukhari Friday said that Pakistan Railways was going to make a joint venture with a big international firm for manufacturing of locomotives at Risalpur Factory.
During question hour in the National Assembly, he informed that the present government has claimed the warranty and underframe of these 16 locomotives are being got replaced.
He said Pakistan has also engineers who are capable to overhaul these engines.
He said that the tender of these locomotives were float in 2012 by the government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Ashiq said the government of PML-Q had purchased a total of 69 engines from Dongfang Company adding that most of these locomotives were cracked but no action was taken at that time by the minister of railway Shaikh Rashid against the company.
Answering a question he said Pakistan People’s Party again signed an agreement with the CSR Ziyang Co. Ltd and bought 29 engines again and added if these engines were found cracked we will declared it black list too.
When government of PML-N took over the charge, it cancels all agreements with Dongfang Electric International Corporation, Chinese firm and declared it black listed.
Pakistan Railway has signed early transit projects with Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) through which, he said new railway stations, tracks, would be established.
The train could be run on these tracks on the speed of 160 km/hour adding that all railway system would be upgraded through the project of CPEC.
To a question, Ashiq Hussain said that over 1.8 billion rupees foreign aid have been provided to Pakistan Railways for three projects.
He said that Pakistan Railways has not entered into any contract for purchase of locomotives from China.
He shared the details of contract agreements which were signed in 2012 for procurement locomotives from China included two contract agreements for procurement of 29 Nos. (CBU) (3000-3500 HP) and 29 (2000-2500 HP) D.E. locomotives (CBU) with M/s CSR Ziyang Co. Ltd amounting to US$ 61.16 million and US$ 55.69 million respectively.
Parliamentary Secretary said that all the 58 locomotives have been received and working on Pakistan Railways system.
A contract agreement for procurement of material for manufacturing of 5 locomotives (3000 HP) in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) condition amounting to US$ 12.82 million was signed in 2013 with M/s CSR Ziyang Co Ltd. China.
After receipt of material all the five (5) locomotives have been manufactured / assembled at Pakistan Locomotive Factory, Risalpur and working on Pakistan Railways system.
Source: APP
