NAROWAL: The number of train compartments has been cut on the trains on Lahore-Narowal-Sialkot railway sections, forcing the passengers to sit on compartments’ roof and floor and on engine.

The Pakistan Railways recently cut the number of bogies of Faiz Ahmad Faiz passenger train from seven to three and Lasani Express from nine to three. Of the three bogies, one-half is dedicated for the train guard.

A passenger boggy can accommodate 88 passengers where now 300 to 500 passengers travel. As per rules, three bogies can accommodate 220 passengers, whereas 1,000 to 1,500 passengers are forced to travel. On weekends, passengers are seen traveling on the roofs of bogies and engine.

Muhammad Aslam, frequent traveler, told Dawn the decision to cut bogies was a sort of political revenge to the people of Narowal.

“The railway minister first said that the passengers travel without tickets,” he said.

“Railways record, however, contradicted his accusations as ticket-less passengers do not not travel on this section; the department generates millions per month on this section.”

Hafiz Abdul Qayyum, representing the passengers, said, “The railways intentionally decreased bogies of passenger trains on the Lahore-Narowal section with the connivance of bus operators, so that passengers are forced to travel by road and pay more fare.”

Railways Additional General Manager Zubair Shafi Ghauri said he had seen pictures and video footage on social media that the passengers travel on the roofs of trains, engines and train guard bogy.

“I’ve ordered the divisional superintendent of railways to increase bogies for Lahore-Narowal-Sialkot sections so that passengers travel in a decent way.”

Passengers demanded that Prime Minister Imran Khan take immediate notice of the situation and increase the number of bogies of the passenger trains.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2019