KARACHI, Dec 20: The Pakistan Railways needs one-and-a-half year to revive the operation of another train service to India from Khokhrapar, provided the federal government takes an immediate decision in this respect.

This was stated by Federal Minister for Railways Ghous Bux Mehar at a press conference at the divisional superintendent Karachi office. The minister said the railways would also be considering laying of rail tracks from Chaman, Balochistan, to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

When Mr Mehar asked the railways chairman, who was present on the occasion, to give details about the revival of the Khokhrapar train service, he said that once the government issued instructions in this regard, a PC-1 would be sent to the government for seeking funds of Rs600-660 million.

He said tracks, rolling stock and other related things had gone out of order. If the federal government released funds immediately for the revival of a train service, it would take one year to relaunch the operations.

About the train service from Chaman to Kandahar, the railways minister said an agreement had been reached between the governor Kandahar and the Pakistan’s consul general for laying of dual railway tracks.

He said a survey had also been conducted in that respect, and a route was being finalized to ascertain the exact length of tracks. However, approximately 110km-long railway line would be laid to initiate rail communication between the two countries, he added.

The railways minister said that a feasibility report would be prepared and submitted to the Kandahar government for funds to lay tracks in Afghanistan.

About the Samjhota Express train service between Lahore and Atari, Mr Mehar said Pakistan had offered to resume the train service from Dec 25 and the railways was ready to launch service within 24-hours, but India had declined. However, talks were held and the service would resume from Jan 15, next year.