Carriage factory manufactures, rehabilitates 3,464 coaches.

ISLAMABAD, 07 May , 2009 (Balochistan Times) -- The Carriage Factory has so far, manufactured and rehabilitated 3464 coaches which include coaches for Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Army and coaches exported to Bangladesh and Senegal. Managing Director Carriage Factory Habib ur Rehman Khattak said this while briefing the Minister of State for Railways Fakir Muhammad Jadam Mangrio here on Wednesday during his visit to Carriage Factory. He said the factory manufactured 135 new designs, high speed Chinese type of coaches while 40 coaches were imported as completely built units (CBUs). This indigenous manufacture of 135 coaches saved considerable foreign exchange for the national exchequer, he said adding the Chinese design is state-of-the-art and economical version in the global railways scenario. He further briefed that at present, the Carriage Factory is busy in the rehabilitation of 400 passenger coaches for Railways, modification of 162 jeeps for Pakistan Army and manufacturing of bogie brake vans for high capacity wagons projects. The Carriage Factory, Islamabad is thus, playing vital role in the improvement of over all national transportation. Minister of State expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the factory and directed the officials concerned to make further improvement in manufacturing. However, he appreciated high class workmanship of the factory workers and the excellent quality of the work. The Minister also met the union representatives of the factory staff and assured them for the speedy solution of their problems. He also announced cash award of Rs 500 each for the Carriage Factory staff. It may be recalled that Carriage Factory was established in 1970 at a cost of Rs. 89 million including Rs. 35 million foreign exchange. The factory was planned and set up in collaboration with the leading European Designer and Manufacturer of Railway Carriages, M/S Linke Hofmann-Busch (LHB) of West Germany.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)