February 4, 2006	Saturday	Muharram 5, 1427

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RAHIM YAR KHAN, Feb 3: Rail traffic on the up track on the Rohri-Khanpur section, suspended after the derailment of a goods train wagon on Thursday, was restored after nine hours.

As the suspension forced the authorities to divert up-country traffic to the down track, several express trains were delayed.

Already in shock after the Jhelum train crash, railway authorities kept mum over the issue and did not come up with an explanation that what caused the derailment.

Sources said a wagon of the Lahore-bound Ghareebwal Cool goods train derailed between the railway stations of Kotsamaba and Sehja, 22 kms in north, at 2.30pm on Thursday.

A relief train was sent from Rohri which restored the track at 11.30pm.

During suspension, up-country Shalimar Express, Shah Rukn-i-Aalam Express, Awam Express, Chanab Express, Super Express, Quetta Express and Allama Iqbal Express were diverted to the down track. As a result down-country Shalimar Express, Rohri Express, Chanab Express, Khyber Mail, Jafar Express and Allama Iqbal Express were delayed.

This section falling in railways Sukkur division is notorious for fatal derailments. It has to its name tragic accidents like Ghotki and Sangi in which hundreds of people lost their lives.

Thursday’s derailment was not far away from Tarinda where a goods train had derailed last year. It had not only caused a 22-hour traffic suspension on both tracks but also resulted in a huge loss in shape of damage to the tracks, wagons and containers carrying imported goods.

LOCOMOTIVE: The engine of Multan-bound Zakariya Express failed between Khanpur and Jetha Butha railway stations on Thursday.

As a replacement, the engine of a goods train was sent from Khanpur which drove the train to Multan after two and a half hours delay.