LAHORE: Pakistan Railways (PR) launched state of the art dining car called “Restaurant on Wheel” on Thursday. The modern dining car has been introduced initially for the passengers travelling through Bahauddin Zakariya Express. In a week or so, Hazara Express will also have the restaurant on wheel service, Dawn has learnt.

PR Chief Executive Officer Amir Ali Baloch inaugurated the new dining car service here at Lahore Railway Station.

“In limited resources, we are trying our best to improve our services. Besides introducing the modern dining car facility, we have also decided to improve our service related to cleanliness and passengers’ rest/sleeping,” he told media after he inaugurated the upgraded dining car facility.

In the new premium service, the passengers would have a better environment. At a time, 45 passengers can take food in the upgraded dining car. The premium dining car has a menu list of 40 food items, including barbecue and pizza. Keeping in view demands of the passengers, ovens (Tandoors) have been installed to provide fresh roti (bread).

“It is air-conditioned dining car having a beautiful ambiance. It is in fact a restaurant on wheel where the passengers can enjoy with quality delicious food like the restaurants in cities,” Mr Baloch said. He said besides Tandoors, the dining car is equipped with microwave ovens and other facilities which are generally available in modern kitchens. If someone doesn’t want to take meal in dining car, waiters would serve them food on seat.

He said initially two dining cars have been attached with Zakariya Express (Up and Down), followed by two to be attached with the up and down trains of Hazara Express. After this, five more trains will be equipped with restaurant on wheel service, followed by the other ones. “We are focusing to improve our other services too,” he added.

VISIT: Provincial Housing Minister Azfar Ali Nasir conducted an inspection of Shahdara Chowk on Thursday night and reprimanded officers from the Parks and Horticulture Authority and other relevant authorities on-site for not completing the beautification-related schemes on time. He urged the officers for a realistic assessment of progress and emphasized that those falling short in their responsibilities should reconsider their roles.

ETPB: An Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) team in Nankana Sahib retrieved the trust’s two kanals and 12 marlas worth Rs250 million from land grabbers during an operation on Thursday, according to a spokesman for the ETPB.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2024