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No action against

recognised 'katchi abadis': Railways

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Railways Lt Gen Javed Ashraf (Retd) has assured that officially recognised 'Katchi Abadis' will not be disturbed, during its campaign to evacuate surplus land.

He, however, said encroachment and illegal occupation of railways land will not be allowed.

Talking to newsmen on Sunday, he said they have prepared a comprehensive plan to remove encroachments as early as possible, so that it could be sold out to plunge the railways out of financial crisis. "We have estimated to earn Rs 20 billion to Rs 40 billion by selling 25,000 acres surplus land," he said, "the department was facing litigation and other such problems, in evacuation of its land".

But, he hoped these problems would soon be overcome, as the disposal of the surplus land is only way out to overcome the existing financial deficit of Rs 18 billion.

Ashraf said the land that could be used for operational purpose, or has its commercial value, would not sold out.

The auction of the land, he said would start as soon as they can get a reasonable price in the open market. "We cannot dispose of our assets on throw away prices," he added.

To a question, he said there are some reservations of the provincial governments in regard to the railways' land, which are also being looked into.

He said they have been getting excellent support from the Governor Balochistan in acquiring the illegally occupied land.

Ashraf expressed the hope that other provincial governments will extend similar cooperation in order to put the railways on sound footing, and enabling it to provide best possible services to masses. "This task cannot be completed without the support of the provincial governments".

He said there are about 6,000 acre of land which is currently under the illegal possession of mud-dwellers.

He said the present government is attaching high priority to Pakistan Railways, making it financially viable organisation and reforming its entire structure.

The high potential of railways in transport sector cannot be over-emphasised. Railway journey is six time faster than the transportation of luggage through trucks that consumes more fuel and other related services charges.

The government plans to allocate over Rs 2 billion on railways in annual development budget for fiscal year 2000-2001.

This amount would be spent on rehabilitation of railways, including gradual enhancing number of its engines from two to an optimum level 15, coach repairing, improvement of rail tracks, better communication system and station building, he said.

The total budget of railways is Rs 15.25 billion. At present over Rs 12 billion are incurred as 'ordinary working expenditures, Rs 4.5 billion on salaries of about 89,000 total serving employees and their fringe benefits.

About 25,000 staff is estimated to be surplus and a major burden on the increasing losses of railways, the secretary said.

Javed Ashraf said all possible concessions and facilities would be extended to the business community, ensuring their participation in making the department viable.

He said new approach of commercialisation has been introduced in Pakistan Railways to end dependency on federal government and restore its financial viability.ÑAPP