Balochistan rail operations to be restored by Oct 10

Published September 21, 2024
Locals wait as the road is blocked after railway tracks collapsed, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, in Bolan district of Balochistan on Aug 27, 2024. — Reuters/File
Locals wait as the road is blocked after railway tracks collapsed, a day after separatist militants conducted deadly attacks, in Bolan district of Balochistan on Aug 27, 2024. — Reuters/File

LAHORE: The resumption of passenger and freight train operations from Punjab and Sindh to Balochistan may take another 20 days or so, as the construction work on Dozan bridge is underway at the moment.

On the other hand, eight private firms have shown interest in the PR’s train outsourcing plan by submitting technical bids, Dawn has learnt.

“We have completed 50 per cent of construction works at different sites. And hopefully, we will resume traffic by Oct 10,” PR Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amir Ali Baloch told Dawn on Friday.

He said PR teams had shifted girders, manufactured in Jhelum, to Sibbi for onward shipment to the construction site.

Eight firms show interest in train outsourcing

The train operation on the main line-3 (ML-3) faced temporary suspension because of blasts by terrorists that destroyed a railway bridge in the Dozan area of Bolan last month.

The PR operates two passenger trains — Jaffar Express and Bolan Express — daily on the route. Some goods trains also operate between various sections leading to Balochistan from other provinces.

Jafar Express (Up) starts its journey from Peshawar in the morning and reaches Quetta next day via Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Sukkur and Sibbi. Likewise, the Bolan Express starts journey from Karachi at 8pm daily and reaches Quetta at 6:55pm the next day via various stations in interior Sindh and Balochistan.

“The local train operation continues in Balochistan, as there is no issue in this regard. Two local trains on the routes — Sibbi-Harnai, Quetta and Chaman – are operating as usual,” Mr Baloch said, adding that the security personnel deputed at bridges, tunnels and important railway installations have been put on high alert.

According to him, strict surveillance of the track, bridges and tunnels etc is also being made through patrolling by locomotives under security SOPs / protocols.

Talking about outsourcing of the trains, he said eight private firms have submitted technical bids for getting commercial operation of various trains. If their bids are found fit, they will be asked to submit financial bids.

“For this we have constituted technical and financial committees,” he added.

The PR, in third week of last month, had offered various trains for outsourcing commercial operation.

The trains included Hazara Express (11-up/12-down), Awam Express (13-up/14-down), Karachi Express (15-up / 16-down), Bahauddin Zakria Express (25-up/ 26-down), Mehar Express (127-up / 128-down), Sukkur Express (145-up /146-down), Chenab Express (135-up / 136-down), Mehran Express (149-up / 150-down), Mohenjo Daro Passenger (213-up / 214-down / local train) and Rawalpindi Passenger (267-up / 268-down, local train).

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2024

Opinion

Beefing up security

Beefing up security

The issue lies not in the sincerity and dedication of Pakistan’s law enforcement but in their capacity and access to effective surveillance equipment.

Editorial

Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...
Ultimate price
Updated 02 Nov, 2024

Ultimate price

To dismantle culture of impunity for crimes against journalists, state must ensure that perpetrators do not go unpunished.
Mastung bombing
02 Nov, 2024

Mastung bombing

INSTABILITY continues to haunt Balochistan, as Friday morning’s bombing in Mastung has shown. At least nine...
Plane speak
02 Nov, 2024

Plane speak

DESPITE all its efforts to facilitate PIA’s privatisation, it seems the government only ended up being taken for a...