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SIALKOT, Feb 25: Railways has once again shut the Sialkot Express train running between Sialkot and Rawalpindi after declaring that the route is going into a loss.
Railways had earlier restored the rail car service some one-and-a-half-years ago on the strong demand of the Sialkot business community.
This is the only rail car service for the entire Sialkot region towards Rawalpindi. Besides, it also provides cargo service to the business community of both the cities of Sialkot and Rawalpindi.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Qaisar Shabbir expressed his grave concern over the closure of the rail car service.
He said the railway authorities had once again put the people and the business community of both the cities at the mercy of transporters. The SCCI president urged the railways chairman to restore the rail car service immediately in the larger public interest.
TUSSLE: Water crisis in Sialkot has aggravated due to a tussle between the local tehsil municipal administration and Gepco authorities. The supply of potable water to almost all the congested industrial, commercial and residential areas remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day on Friday.
The people suffered great inconveniences due to the non-availability of drinking water. They have strongly criticized the TMA for not taking effective measures for the restoration of water supply.
The Gepco authorities have again severed all the electricity connections of tube wells due to the non-payment of outstanding bills of Rs35 million by the Sialkot TMA. Meanwhile, the TMA officials claimed that the Gepco was continuously sending them inflated power bills. Talking to reporters, the Gepco officials said the power supply would remain suspended till the complete payment of arrears.
