LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways (PR) continues facing loss of millions of rupees daily due to suspension of the passenger and goods train operations because of the blast by terrorists that destroyed a railway bridge in the Dozan area (Bolan) in Balochistan two weeks ago.

According to sources, the cumulative loss of the railways, so far, is about Rs210m.

According to an official source, the PR operates two passenger trains, namely Jaffar Express and Bolan Express, daily on the route and potential revenue of both trains is Rs10.24m and Rs1.94m, respectively. Besides, some goods trains also operate between various sections, leading to Balochistan from other provinces.

“Jafar Express (Up) starts its journey from Peshawar at 7am daily and reaches Quetta at 4.30pm (next day) via Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Dera Murad Jamali and Sibbi. Similarly this train (Down) starts operation from Quetta at 9am daily and reaches Peshawar at 6:25am next day,” the official explained while talking to Dawn. Likewise, he added, the Bolan Express starts journey from Karachi at 8pm daily and reaches Quetta at 6:55pm next day via various stations in interior Sindh and Balochistan. The cumulative loss the PR has faced so far is about Rs210m.

According to the official, the resumption of the train operation might take some more time as the work on building the bridge is underway these days.

GAS: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd on Sunday disconnected another 55 illegal connections, imposing fines amounting to Rs1.2m.

In Lahore, three illegal gas connections were severed, along with 14 more due to compressor misuse. Faisalabad saw disconnection of one illegal connection, alongside a fine of Rs0.02m. The Sheikhupura team imposed a penalty of Rs0.29m for gas theft.

In Multan, 10 illegal connections were severed and two more were disconnected for compressor misuse. The team in Sahiwal cut two illegal connections. In Gujranwala, two illegal connections were cut off and one of them for compressor misuse while a total fine of Rs0.27m was imposed on them.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024