The Federal Minister for Railways recently briefed the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the ongoing Railway development projects, including the upgradation of major Railway stations. CEO REDAMCO (Railway Estate Development and Marketing Company) also participated in the session, sharing insights on commercialising Railway Lands through PPP to boost Pakistan Railways' revenue. Here are the key points discussed

• Railway Upgrades: The government plans to upgrade five major stations to improve passenger facilities
• Land Commercialisation: REDAMCO is focusing on leasing out commercial properties and removing encroachments to enhance revenue generation
• Revenue Growth: Pakistan Railways recorded Rs 88 billion in revenue last fiscal year, thanks to improved services and infrastructure upgrades like the Main Line 1 (ML1) project
• ML1 Project: A transformative rail infrastructure upgrade (part of CPEC) aiming to increase train speeds to 160 km/h, reducing travel time and boosting freight capacity
• Public-Private Partnerships: Plans to involve the private sector in modernizing stations, including better washrooms and easier passenger movement. ¹ ² ³

The meeting emphasized sustainable growth, modernization, and regional connectivity, such as a proposed rail link with Uzbekistan and Non freight revenue Avenues for better utlization of Railway assets