LAHORE: In a significant step to modernise the freight transportation system and to facilitate the business community, Pakistan Railways (PR) has added 30 new high-speed and high-capacity freight wagons to its fleet.

Speaking at a ceremony held at Lahore Cantt Railway Stationon Friday, PR`s Chief Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch revealed that these wagons were manufactured in response to the demands of the business sector and built on international standards.

`Each wagon has a load capacity of 60 tons, marking a revolutionary advancement in freight operations,` said Mr Baloch.

The CEO further revealed that PR aimed to induct a total of 850such freight wagons. Of these, 250 had already beenintegrated into the system, while the remaining were expected to be added by December 31 of this year, he added.

He said the new wagons were completely manufactured in Pakistan. He termed this a positive development for the local industry. To promote cost-effective transportation, he said that freight charges via rail had beenkept lower than those of the road transport.

He also indicated that as track capacity improved, more advanced freight trains would be introduced, further strengthening and streamlining the cargo transport system across the country.

Project Director Ishaq Butt and other senior PR officials were also present on the occasion.