THIS refers to the letters “Taxpayers’ money” (July 24), which called for shutting down of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) in order to save public funds. The suggestion was based on the writer’s observation that not many were using the facility.

I recently travelled by the evening KCR train from Karachi City to Malir Halt and found more people than the capacity of the train. The passenger profile mostly appeared to be that of educated staff, both men and women, returning homes from their corporate offices downtown. The commute was so comfortable that I was able to write this letter during the same journey.

It is highly likely that the said writer may have witnessed the train shunting/moving during off-route time or on a weekend or somewhere near the train’s starting and finishing points. On the busiest route between Karachi City and Landhi, the up and down train is a success and great boon for passengers.

From the above account, it is clear that factual position and potential of KCR can be gauged properly and optimistically only by actually using the service. The Supreme Court should keep a watch on KCR affairs so that the utility may not be painted as non-viable.

Raihan A.K. Lodhi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2021