In 2024, despite a record hike in fares, the Railway Department has failed to improve travel facilities. With overcrowded trains bursting at the seams, achieving the one trillion rupee revenue target remains an elusive goal.
Previously, railway tracks were considered a symbol of progress, and train travel was considered a cheap means, but for years, Pak Rail has been heading towards a journey of decline.
Accidents on the 160-year-old track have become a daily routine. 45 million passengers travel annually in Pakistan Railways’ 98-passenger trains.
To increase revenue, the federal government operated 12 profitable routes under private partnership and set a revenue target of one trillion rupees for the year 2024, of which only 70 percent has been achieved so far.
According to the administration, in addition to the salaries of more than 113,000 pensioners and 63,000 employees, we also have to meet the budget deficit from our resources.
On the other hand, due to the increase in fares, even economy-class tickets are now out of reach of the common man. Passengers also lashed out at the railway administration over the poor condition of the platforms, dilapidated coaches, and the lack of drinking water.
The department’s problems have also increased due to the poor condition of the railways and the decrease in income from freight trains.
