Lahore (Agencies): In a significant development for Pakistan’s railway infrastructure, 115 flat wagons are being assembled in Complete Knocked Down (CKD) form at a factory in Lahore. These wagons are part of a larger order of 620 freight wagons jointly produced by Pakistan Railways and the Chinese company Baotou Beifang Chuangye Co., Ltd. The wagons are expected to roll out in April this year.
Philippe Mi, the Chinese project director for the 820 High-Capacity Wagon (HCW) project, stated in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN), “Once all 620 freight wagons are fully operational, they will double the current railway transportation capacity.”
In 2021, Beifang Chuangye secured a contract to supply 820 high-capacity railway freight wagons to Pakistan Railways, including four types of vehicles: open-top wagons, flat wagons, covered wagons, and cabooses. By 2022, 200 wagons had already been delivered and put into operation.
In 2024, 115 high-capacity open-top wagons assembled in semi-knocked-down (SKD) form at the Risalpur factory were deployed on key freight routes connecting Karachi Port to inland destinations. This initiative not only increased transportation capacity but also alleviated the pressure on Karachi Port’s warehousing operations.
Aamir Baloch, CEO of Pakistan Railways, praised the local production of railway freight wagons, stating, “This initiative will bring significant economic benefits to Pakistan, marking a crucial step toward reducing import dependence and promoting local industries. It’s a major leap toward economic self-sufficiency and the start of a new era in freight transportation in Pakistan.”
The standardized design of the wagons ensures compatibility and consistency across different models, reducing operational and maintenance costs for Pakistan Railways. Ishaq Butt, the Pakistani Project Director for the 820HCW project, highlighted the importance of this efficiency, especially in a country where infrastructure development is a key priority.
The production process has created approximately 450 direct jobs. “This local production project has trained many young technicians and skilled workers for our railway department, significantly boosting our manufacturing capabilities and sustaining them for the future,” said Ishaq Butt.
Beifang Chuangye has provided both theoretical training and hands-on support in setting up the wagon assembly lines in Lahore and Risalpur. Their assistance encompasses personnel training, equipment upgrades, inventory management, process planning, quality control, and system development, ensuring comprehensive improvements in the factories.
This joint venture represents a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward enhancing its railway infrastructure and achieving economic self-sufficiency.