KARACHI, May 4: After getting a verbal approval from the federal authorities concerned, the Pakistan Railways’ Karachi division on Friday added two economy class coaches to the Thar Express, a train services being run on a weekly basis between Karachi and the Indian city of Jodhpur, officials told PPI.
The decision was taken in view of the large number of people intending to travel between India and Pakistan. There were complaints that most of them had to wait for their turn for several weeks after obtaining visa owing to the insufficient capacity of the train. In many cases, visa date would expire before their turn comes.
The relevant agreement between the two countries provides for seven coaches for Thar Express.
The Pakistan Railways had conveyed to the federal authorities by adding the two coaches to the train, the PR would be able to accommodate 156 more passengers. Furthermore, replacing the first class sleeper coaches with economy class ones would make room for another 100 passengers.
Divisional Commercial Officer Hasan Tahir Bukhari said that the federal authorities had given a go ahead to the proposal.
The Thar Express was to leave Karachi on Friday night with nine coaches whereas the replacement of first class sleeper coaches would take effect on June 8 because the service had already accepted seat reservation for the first class sleeper coach up to June 1, he added.The PR has also decided to increase the quota of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas from 32 to 71 seats.—PPI
