Pakistan Railways has begun a large-scale digital upgrade through its Railway Advanced Infrastructure Network (RAIN) project. This marks the biggest modernization drive in the department’s history, with Phase-I set to finish by June 2026.
Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi chaired a key meeting in Islamabad where the IT Directorate shared updates on progress and the detailed rollout schedule. The project relies entirely on Pakistan Railways’ own revenue sources for funding Phase-I, showing the department’s commitment to self-financed improvement.
Key Features of the RAIN Project
The initiative focuses on several practical changes to make train operations smoother and safer:
- GPS tracking devices will go on all trains and locomotives, enabling real-time monitoring of locations and speeds. This should cut down on delays and boost safety by allowing quicker responses to issues.
- Major stations will turn into smart facilities, starting with Rawalpindi station as the pilot model. Upgrades include digital boards for passenger information, advanced CCTV surveillance, and better overall security measures.
- Selected stations will get high-speed internet access, which will help both railway staff with daily tasks and passengers during their wait or travel.
- New command and control centers are planned for the Lahore headquarters and various divisional offices to strengthen coordination and handle emergencies more effectively.
- Along the Main Line-1 (ML-1) route, crews will lay about 1,700 kilometers of fiber optic cable to create a strong backbone for all these digital systems.
Minister Abbasi stressed the expected benefits during the meeting. He pointed out that the changes should reduce train delays and accidents, offer better services to passengers, and raise the overall performance of the railway network.
Also Read: Punjab Expands Green Public Transport with 1,000 Electric Buses
Officials view the RAIN Project as a step toward bringing Pakistan Railways in line with modern travel needs. By improving efficiency and reliability, the department aims to serve more people effectively in the coming years.
