PR needs to apply quality controls to improve competitiveness

ISLAMABAD: Through implementing the quality and management systems in vogue internationally, the Pakistan Railways (PR) can compete with its counterparts at the global level in terms of quality management, WealthPK reported.

Being a state-owned enterprise, the PR has been mired in continuous losses and depleting assets since its inception.
The state enterprise’s quality management has been nowhere to be seen due to worsening quality of service, leading to a decreased number of passengers and freight haulage.

However, most of the ailments plaguing the PR are not of its own making, as the public entity has seen less and less investments in infrastructure, operations and maintenance of its obsolete bogies.

However, the railway sector of Pakistan can make a turnaround in terms of quality, if it can effectively implement a number of standards and management systems adopted by top-performing railways across the globe.

To begin with, ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management System is considered the bedrock of almost all management systems and standards in turning around an organisation. It can be applied for bringing advancement in technological infrastructure of organisations, for better employees’ management and improving the supply chains, according to the WealthPK research.

The PR can also implement the Indispensable Technological Standard: ISO 27001: 2013 Information Security Management System to improve its management and operations.
By implementing this system, the PR can store the data of its customers electronically to put tabs on any possibility of any data breach and ensure information security.

The PR can also adopt the ISO 10002 Customer Complaint and Satisfaction Management System to improve its operations. By aligning with the system, the PR can improve not only its products and services, but also ensure customer satisfaction. The system ensures that the products and services offered to customers are subject to persistent quality tests and controls.

Lastly, the International Railway Industry Standard – IRIS – management system is a quality management standard particularly developed for the railway industry, covering trains, metros, tramways, wagons and locomotives.
By effectively and robustly implementing these standards, the PR can achieve the certain quality and management standards in practice around the world.

INP/