Re: Army scheme encroached upon PR land, PAC told
This is just price of imported locomotive from USA. FOB, sales taxes and customs will cost one locomotive to $2.5 millions. Rs 50 billions means 200 to 250 or so locomotives to replace already depriciated locomotives which must be running with heavy maintenance costs, including safety and frequent failure issues on line.
Had Pakistan good relations with India, the same most popular locotmotive ALCO could have imported less than half price with no FOBs. But generals, secreteries Planning commissions, economic affairs division and ofcourse key railway officers needs commission. Countrires who bribed most these corrupts were successful in getting the contracts. That is why you see Japan, Germany and lastly China’s locomotives which made locomotives with old, refurbished equipment, sold cheap with heavy commissions, and last for few years or more. USA and Canada had stopped a long time ago paying commissions to these corrupts because of their strict anti corruption laws in the country. Their locomotives were superb, long lived with full warranties, but expensive than the others.
One ALU-18 (ALCO 1800 HP) locomotive was snatched from India in 1965 war. The same locomtovie pulled many frieght trains for many years in Pakistan. It must still be with PR perhaps lying in junk yard for want of spares. If someone from PR is here can confrim this.