Railways hold seminar on fuel management, optimization

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

In order to have a detailed look into different perspectives of fuel management with special focus on optimal consumption and recommendations for its efficient utilization, a seminar was arranged at Technical Training Centre of the Pakistan Railways in Karachi.

All the officers of Karachi division and the concerned officials attended the seminar as Fasahatullah Baig, Divisional Mechanical Engineer, gave a detailed presentation on the subject. 

Fuel occupies a significant chunk of Pakistan Railways' budget as almost one-quarter (23%) of the annual budget is earmarked for fuel every year. During the FY 2019-20, the percent share on fuel expenditure was 18.71% (Rs.17.8 billion out of total budget of PKR 95 billion.

"Pakistan Railways has to earmark colossal sums in the heads of salary and pension that are not only unalterable but increasing every year. Nevertheless adequate fuel management targeting efficient and optimal utilization can pave the way for reducing the department's fiscal deficit from this head" a senior officer of the organization remarked. 

The divisional mechanical engineer informed that en route maintenance issues of track, rolling stock operational practices and drivers' behavior contributed to how fuel was consumed, adding that various measures have been taken to curtail fuel losses thereby ensuring savings. 

Major recommendations for further economizing included monitoring and control of fuel through intensive and frequent inspection by the concerned officers, immaculate signal system and record keeping as per modern standards. 

The Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, in his concluding remarks, noted that fuel awareness campaign would be kicked off very soon aiming at efficient utilization. 

He invited the concerned officers to submit proposals and recommendations that could cover the gaps and loopholes in the existing system with efficient fuel manage