ISLAMABAD: With the attention of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) turned towards mega projects, smaller projects such as tourist trains operating at picnic spots have fallen out of favour.

The Margalla Tourist Train was a main attraction for tourists visiting Shakarparian, National Monument, Lok Virsa, Rose and Jasmine Garden and Pakistan Natural History Museum. It would allow visitors to see all the attractions, located at some distance from one another, on a Rs10 ticket for children and students and a Rs30 ticket for adults.

However, the train which is owned and operated by CDA Sports and Culture Department has been parked at the Rose and Jasmine Gardens for the last five months. Another tourist train operated by the CDA Environment Wing has been rusting away at the Lake View Park, for the last two years.

According to sources in the CDA, the trains were purchased for over Rs700 million some seven years ago.

A gardener at the Rose and Jasmine Garden said that the Margalla Tourist Train was parked here five months ago, after it developed a fault in its engine.

“The officers in charge are trying to make efforts to acquire funds from the CDA Finance Wing to fix the train,” he said.

The gardener said that many visitors to the area ask when the train would be functional again.

“We tell them that the train has been parked for maintenance work,” he said.

Amir Abbasi, a golf cart driver at the park, said that every Eid a large number of visitors throng the park and take rides on the train. “The train is especially popular among children. It seems that this Eid,

visitors to the park will miss the opportunity to ride the train,” he said.

Sports and Culture Director General Asif Shahjahan told Dawn that efforts are being made to repair the engines of the train. He said the engines are not suitable for running in Pakistan.

“I cannot comment on the second train parked at Lake View Park because it is not operated by my department but the Margalla Train was parked here because it consumed too much petrol and the spare parts are expensive,” he said.

Mr Shahjahan said the engines may be replaced by another type of engine, with locally available parts, such as a tractor engine. He said discussions are taking place between his department, the law deparment and Machinery Pool Organisation of the CDA, for awarding a contract for the repair work.

He claimed that the department is trying to ensure that the train is functional during Eid holidays.

“We will try to make some temporary arrangements to get the train running for tourists during Eid,” he said. — Kashif Abbasi

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2015

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