July 10, 2006	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 13, 1427

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LAHORE, July 9: The plan of an intra-city train has hit snags for want of a separate rail track to make it an efficient service.

The existing rails are over-engaged with only 15 minutes between two trains for the proposed service.

But laying of new rails requires billions of rupees and the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) lacks funds.

Ideally, the 47-km distance between Raiwind and Shahdara via the city railway station can be covered within 30 minutes by a non-stop train.

A two-minute stopover on each of the 14 stations on the route doubles the time making it to one hour while waiting for crossing of passenger or freight trains on the main line adds at least one more hour to it (especially keeping in view the slow pace of freight trains).

A passenger or freight train leaves Lahore station every 20 minutes.

Chaired by DCO Muhammad Ijaz, CDGL officers and railway engineers held a meeting on Saturday to discuss and sort out these problems.

Road Transport Authority secretary Arshad Zahid, district officer (environment) Tariq Zaman and Badami Bagh bus terminal administrator Riaz Shad attended the meeting.

The DCO has directed the CDGL officers to prepare within a week a feasibility study of all aspects of the shuttle service so that the district nazim may discuss it with Federal Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid next month.

The study includes passenger count at each of the 14 stations falling on the Raiwind-Shahdara route and the area to be catered to by each station.

The nazim and the minister will discuss whether timing, especially of freight trains, can be rescheduled so that during rush hours in the morning and at noon the intra-city train is pulled up as minimum as possible for giving way to inter-city service, officials say.

Infrastructure at and around the 14 railway stations like approach roads, parking lots, and platforms also needs improvement and the CDGL has allocated Rs70 million for the purpose.

The authorities have also decided to set up two more stations, one at Kot Lakhpat fruit and vegetable market and the other close to the Badami Bagh bus terminal.

Routes of buses and wagons from all the stations, in case of running of the shuttle train service, have also been finalised.

Meanwhile, the DCO has directed removal of encroachments in and around the Badami Bagh bus terminal within three days as the CDGL has decided to spend Rs210 million on it for bringing it on a par with international terminals.

The DCO wants construction of a boundary wall of the terminal, improved levelling and drainage system within its bounds.

He has also sought development of waiting lounges for passengers, chilled water coolers, restaurants, toilets and parking arrangements at the terminal.

The DCO has directed that entry of hawkers, beggars and drug addicts to the terminal should be closed and violators should be taken to task.