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