Senate panel briefed on payment to heirs of train fire victims
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ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways was informed on Tuesday that Pakistan Railways did not provide any financial assistance to the victims of the 2019 deadliest Tezgam passenger train fire despite many promises.
The heirs of those died in the train fire accident were paid from the life insurance, and the railways ministry did not provide any financial assistance, the committee was informed. Chairman of the committee Senator Mohammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo sought a report from the railways ministry at its next meeting.
The committee was informed that heirs of 68 passengers were paid Rs1.5 million each. Heirs of only six passengers are yet to be paid compensation, out of them two heirs have not yet been traced. In the fire accident, 74 passengers had lost their lives.
The committee was briefed on the suspension of passenger train service in the country due to coronavirus, and partial resumption of 13 trains (up and down) effective May 20, after taking full precautionary measures for the safety of passengers from coronavirus. From June 1, the entire train operation was resumed to facilitate passengers, the committee was informed.
The seat occupancy rate was limited to sixty per cent for the safety of passengers, while only 25 railway stations were opened to passengers. The provision of catering in the train has been suspended; however, some food stalls at railway stations have been allowed to operate.
The chairman of the standing committee took serious note of the absence of the railways secretary from the meeting, and asked him to ensure his presence at the next meeting of the committee.
Senator Jahanzeb Jamal sought information from Pakistan Railways about the start of passenger train service on Quetta-the Taftan sector, saying a track is already available in this sector.
The committee was informed that Pakistan Railways was working on a project to start operation on this sector, and in this regard, negotiations were in progress with certain countries of the Middle East.
Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2020
