HARIPUR, Oct 3: People belonging to different walks of life have condemned the decision of Pakistan Railways to cut the quota of seats and berths reserved for people of Hazara in Tezro.

The railways sources justified the step terming it unavoidable in view of the losses suffered by the department, however, the local circles denied the railways claim.

According to sources, soon after the suspension of rail car service, which used to be available between Havelian and Rawalpindi, the railways department had fixed a quota of 102 seats and 18 berths for the Hazara division in Tezro for Karachi daily.

However, the administration had slashed the quota to only seven berths and 18 seats, creating problems for the people of the division.

It may be mentioned that in spite of availability of various fast means of journey, a large number of people here still prefer to travel to Karachi by train, considering it safe and economical.

“One can witness a big crowd of passengers on the Haripur and Havelian railway stations daily set to leave for Karachi,” said Mohammed Miskeen, a resident of Haripur who claims that if more berths and seats were earmarked for Hazara on Awami and other trains besides enhancing the present quota, it would certainly prove beneficial both for the department and the people.

The area people have called upon the railways minister to restore the quota for the people of Hazara in Tezro besides allotting extra seats and berths on other passenger trains.