KARACHI: The city administration on Monday started the restoration of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) as per the directives of the Supreme Court.

Official sources said that Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani visited all the KCR stations to inspect the condition of the tracks as well as the platforms.

They said that he directed the Pakistan Railways to clear the bushes from the tracks, carry out the maintenance work of railway lines, and replace the lines where needed.

Divisional Superin­ten­dent of Pakistan Rail­ways Arshad Salam Khattak and deputy commissioners of the three districts concerned also accompanied the commissioner.

The DS briefed the commissioner about the action plan to start the KCR service for the public.

The commissioner said that there was a great need to carry out the immediate improvement work for the restoration of the stations and tracks as well.

He directed the Pakistan Railways to undertake the work of cleanliness, whitewash and proper display of names of the stations on a priority, and ensure that the KCR service starts as soon as possible.

Mr Shallwani started his visit from Wazir Mansion and then went to Baldia Station where he noticed that there were business activities on the right of way of the track and the lines were covered with bushes.

The other stations he visited included Shah Abdul Latif Station, SITE Station, Manghopir Station, Habib Bank Station, Orangi Station, North Nazimabad Station, Liaquatabad and Yasinabad Station, Geelani Station, Nipa Station, Aladdin Station, Hill View Station, and Karsaz Halt Station.

He also was shown the encroachments along the right of way of the KCR.

The commissioner directed the DCs concerned to issue notices to the shopkeepers and ensure that the removal of encroachments is completed as soon as possible with the support of agencies concerned.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioner West Zahid Memon to issue notice to a factory located near the Habib Bank Station, which was disposing its industrial waste and causing damage to the railway line.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018