Pakistan Railways set to roll out first batch of high-speed coaches by June

The first batch of 12 high-speed passenger coaches, currently under production at the Islamabad Carriage Factory, is expected to be rolled out by June this year for Pakistan Railways. These coaches, designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h, will feature state-of-the-art technology. 

Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi visited the Islamabad Carriage Factory to review the project. The factory’s Managing Director, Muhammad Yousuf Leghari, briefed the minister on the progress, highlighting that this was the first time high-speed coaches were being manufactured in Pakistan, marking a significant milestone.

However, these coaches will operate on the existing low-speed rail network, as the country lacks high-speed lines or trains that can fully utilize their capabilities.

In 2021, Pakistan Railways signed an agreement with CRRC Tangshan of China for the manufacturing of 230 passenger coaches, with a focus on transferring technology to Pakistan. The $148 million project is being supervised by Chinese service engineers. 

The new coaches incorporate features such as air spring bodies, electric hot axle detection, and improved ride quality, durability, and speed. The project will also produce an additional 184 high-speed coaches by 2027, further enhancing the rail network. Leghari explained that the different types of coaches, such as economy and AC sleepers, would have varying costs.

Abbasi emphasized the importance of local manufacturing, which would help Pakistan Railways save foreign exchange and pave the way for exporting high-speed coaches to other countries. The Islamabad Carriage Factory, the largest industrial unit of Pakistan Railways, has the capacity to produce 120 new passenger coaches annually.

During his visit, Abbasi also discussed plans with Project Director Wulei of the Chinese company to increase the factory’s production capacity. He urged improvements in production capabilities to reduce Pakistan Railways’ reliance on imports and achieve self-sufficiency.

The factory, established in 1970 with the cooperation of the French company Alstom, has historically focused on producing electric and diesel locomotives and coaches. The modernization of the facility, along with the technology transfer from China, is seen as essential for the future growth of Pakistan Railways.

Abbasi met with the factory workers, expressing pride in their efforts and addressing their concerns. He assured them that the government would ensure their welfare and provide full cooperation to enhance the factory’s production, quality, and efficiency. Additionally, Abbasi instructed the Director-General of Food to inspect the quality of food at railway stations and provide a detailed report.