PESHAWAR, Dec 5: Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rashid Ahmad has said the high-speed train between Peshawar and Rawalpindi is one of the several mega projects aimed at developing the rail network in NWFP so that it comes at par with the rest of the country.
He was speaking at a ceremony held to launch the train – called the Peshawar Express – here on Tuesday. NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, being the chief guest, launched the train service. Mr Ahmad said the train would take three hours to cover the distance between Peshawar and Rawalpindi. Other mail and express trains normally take three-and-a-half hours to cover the distance.
He said the train would make brief stops at Nowshera and Attock, adding that a promotional and subsidised fare of Rs85 had been offered for the journey. He said people in the provincial and federal capitals would be offered a special package in addition to group and return journey concessions.
The minister said the geographical, economic and cultural importance of Peshawar and the NWFP demanded and deserved an extensive intra-provincial rail network, including a train from Peshawar to Karachi via Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Zhob, which would reduce the distance between the two cities by 300 kilometres.
He said the Pakistan Railways was in the process of acquiring six new railcars for speedy and comfortable journey, adding that one of these would ply between Rawalpindi and Karachi. About the other railways projects, he said the Pakistan Express from Rawalpindi to Karachi would be inaugurated on Dec 16 for poor passengers, which would have a fare of Rs600. A luxury train would be inaugurated on Dec 25, he added.
Mr Ahmad said the government was determined to modernise the rail system. He said Spanish and Austrian firms had been assigned the task of preparing a feasibility report for launching a bullet train in the country. He said 12 new passenger trains would be launched in six months.
He said deficit would be reduced by establishing CNG pumps and budget hotels on railways property.
Earlier, divisional railway superintendent Shafiqullah welcomed the guests. Railways secretary Shakeel Durrani and general manager, operation, Saleemur Rehman Akhund were also present.
PESHAWAR, Dec 5: Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rashid Ahmad has said the high-speed train between Peshawar and Rawalpindi is one of the several mega projects aimed at developing the rail network in NWFP so that it comes at par with the rest of the country.
