LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to revive Lahore-Jallo-Wagah train from Dec 7 as it has completed administrative and operational arrangements in this regard.

The train, which will have passenger coaches initially, will originate from Lahore Railway Station and complete two trips (Up-Down) daily -- morning and evening, according to a senior PR official.

“It has been decided in principle that we need to launch Lahore-Jallo-Wagah shuttle train service. It will facilitate a number of people using public transport and personal vehicles for visiting Jallo Park and Wagah border for witnessing flag hoisting or lowering ceremony by Pakistan’s armed forces,” PR Chief Executive Officer Aijaz Buriro told Dawn on Monday.

The PR operated the train for several years until 1997 when it closed it down due to some operational and security reasons. Since closure of the operation, people faced issues related to affordable and safe transport from the city to Jallo and Wagah. In recent days, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad conducted meetings with PR’s senior officials. And finally it was decided to revive the service to provide good transport facilities to people visiting Jallo Park and Wagah on a daily basis.

“We have also sought security clearance from the quarters concerned for the train operation from the departments concerned. Hope, we will get it soon. Similarly, we have refurbished two passenger coaches and a locomotive at our Mughalpura workshop with our own resources,” Mr Buriro maintained.

“I’m thankful to my team in finalizing arrangements in this regard.”

The PR chief said the fare of the journey (from Lahore to Jallo and Wagah and vise-a-versa) would be notified in the next couple of days. He said if there was no security clearance for Wagah, the PR would squeeze the train operation between Lahore-Jallo-Lahore. To a question, he said the PR may workout the proposal to originate the service from Raiwind and take to Wagah via Kot Radha Kishan, Kot Lakhpat, Cantt, Walton and Lahore main station. Similarly, another similar service from Shahdara to Wagah via Lahore may also be worked out in future.

“And if these proposals appear to be viable, we will surely launch the shuttle services. Moreover, we will also refurbish more coaches and locomotives in case of increase in passengers,” he said, adding the train had been named as Rail Car.

About the PR’s plan regarding increase in revenue, he said an important meeting to launch new freight trains from Karachi to Chaman and Abha-Khel.

“If we succeed in launching this freight service, we would be able to transport bulk of goods to Afghanistan through Chaman (Quetta, Balochistan) and Aba Khel (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Likewise, we would also be able to transport goods from Afghanistan through the same points/stations bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said. However, presently our main focus is to start this service up to Chaman since it is a major point of our exports to Afghanistan, the CEO said.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2019