Federal Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday said the performance of Pakistan Railways (PR) is being improved on modern lines for the provision of safe, cheap, and fastest mode of travelling to its passenger. Talking to media in Bahawalpur, he said, "The rail traffic of the department has increased many folds which consist of sixty five thousand trains including goods train annually across the country."

He said, "In order to avert accidents, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being changed and medical, blood and psychological tests became mandatory for operating staff of rail traffic." With reference to train accident at Lodhran, he said, "Human error could not be ignored in this tragedy so train's driver, assistant driver and gatekeeper are in police custody for interrogation after registering case against them."

While responding to a question, he said, "Under a comprehensive plan Pakistan Railways is upgrading major railways station into model railways stations under a phased programme." Saad Rafique said, "The construction work of Bahawalpur's railway station costing two hundred and eighty million rupees is also in progress and will be completed by December."

Khawaja Saad Rafique visited Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur and inquired about the health condition of four children who were admitted on Friday after being injured in Lodhran train crash that killed 9 people including eight children.

The minister expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the accident and pledged to ensure justice to the bereaved families. He also announced Rs 1.5 million for the families of the deceased and Rs three hundred thousand for the injured.

He said, "Three suspects have been arrested from whom investigation is underway however, the signal was functional and the incident took place due to negligence of railway crossing worker." He further stated that, "After the completion of the inquiry its report will be published for public also." He also revealed that, "Proposal regarding the mental and psychological tests of drivers and assistant drivers with provision of mobile phones to them is under consideration."

Later addressing the newly elected members of Municipal Corporation, Bahawalpur Railways Minister said, "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a game changer not only for Pakistan but for the whole region." He said, "After completion of various projects under CPEC the trade volume of regional countries including China, Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and India will be routed through road and rail network of Pakistan, which will bring huge revenue for the country."

Copyright News Network International, 2017