In a significant move, Pakistan Railways has proposed a 130% increase in the budget allocated for importing bogies, raising the estimated cost from previous figures to Rs. 71 billion. This unprecedented hike comes as part of the railway’s broader strategy to modernize its infrastructure and expand passenger capacity amidst rising transportation demand.
The ministry highlighted several factors driving this budget escalation, including the sharp increase in raw material costs, currency depreciation, and the global inflation impacting transportation and manufacturing sectors. Pakistan Railways aims to secure more modern, efficient bogies to boost safety and reliability in its services, countering long-standing challenges in the aging rail network.
This proposed hike, however, has sparked concern among lawmakers and financial analysts, who urge Pakistan Railways to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness. Parliament is expected to review the proposal in the coming weeks, weighing the potential benefits of the new bogie imports against the financial burden it may place on the public sector amid Pakistan’s ongoing economic challenges.
