HYDERABAD, Aug 2: Pakistan Railways is incurring losses to the tune of Rs15 to Rs20 million daily on account of non-transportation of goods from and to Karachi as the operation of freight trains remain suspended from Karachi to the up country since last Sunday.

As per safe estimate 20 freight trains--that were to deliver the consignments--could not be loaded with goods from the port. Officials said that it was in addition to the revenue loss of over Rs6 million that had been refunded to the people as a result of cancellation of their booking and tickets following July 30 incident in which a portion of railway bridge between Ran Pathani and Dhabeji railway stations was washed away by gushing rain water.

The operation of freight trains came to a standstill on Sunday evening because railway first tried to facilitate passengers. The railway, as per safe estimate, loaded around 500 to 600 goods wagons from the port for up-country transportation daily but now the figures vary between 50 to 60 wagons.

The major importers and exporters opt for the freight trains for transportation of their goods. PSO is one of the major clients which use the freight train for transportation of furnace oil. The goods including electronics items, sugar and miscellaneous items--that were meant for transportation to Afghanistan--are lying at the port. Other items included fertiliser, and coal destined for Faisalabad, Gujranwala and other areas.

"We are bearing monetary loss of Rs15 to Rs20 million for non-transportation of goods from Karachi port to the up country dry ports,” said Anzer Rizvi, deputy divisional superintendent at Karachi. He said that business firms usually prefer railways because its freight wagons can carry maximum weight as compared to transportation through trucks. Each railway wagon carries 2,000 tons of goods.

He admitted that parties, whose goods are lying at the port, may suffer some losses as shipping companies concerned allow a specific time for holding the goods at the port.