RAWALPINDI: Punjab government and Pakistan Railways will work together to preserve, restore and beautify the historic railway stations of Rawalpindi, Taxila and Lahore.
In a joint meeting to review the joint work of Pakistan Railways and Punjab government at Railways ministry, Federal Minister for Railways and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Punjab government was the first province to improve the railways infrastructure.
Federal Minister for RailwaysHanif Abbasi said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan Railways, Punjab government was making large-scale investments in railway development projects, terming it as a model of federal-provincial cooperation.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb expressed confidence that the joint initiatives would accelerate the improvement of railway infrastructure, passenger services, safety measures, environmental sustainability and preservation of railway heritage, ensuring that their benefits reach the public at the earliest.
They reviewed progress on a range of joint railway development projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure,improving passenger facilities and enhancing railway safety across the province. The officials briefed the participants on ongoing projects being implemented jointly by the Punjab government and Pakistan Railways, as well as future development initiatives.
The meeting was informed that work on eight suburban railway routes in Punjab was progressing, with feasibility studies for three routes had already been completed, while studies for the remaining projects would be finalized soon to pave the way for implementation.
The officials also informed the meeting that the Punjab government had approve d Rs9.7 billion for the upgrada-tion of railway level crossings. Under the project, unsafe level crossings will be converted into manned crossings in phases to improve public safety and reduce accidents.
The participants reviewed progress on the Punjab Chief Minister’s Green Railway Corridor initiative, under which tree plantation willbe carried out along more than 40 kilometres of railway corridor to promote a cleaner environment and enhance the landscape.
The meeting also assessed progress under the Suthra Punjab programme for improving cleanliness at railway stations. The officials said sanitation work was continuing effectively toprovide passengers with a cleaner andmore comfortable travel environment.
A briefing was also given on the upgradation of the circulating area at Lahore Railway Station. The project has entered its final phase and is expected to be completed next month, offering improved facilities for passengers.
The meeting further discussed the Punjab Chief Minister’s Railway Heritage Preservation Initiative. In its first phase, conservation, restoration and beautification work will be undertaken at the historic railway stations of Lahore, Rawalpindi and Taxila.