BATKHELA, Feb 20: The closure of British-era railway station in Dargai for the last so many years has not only deprived the Pakistan Railways of millions of rupees annual income but also left a large population without freight and passenger traffic facilities in upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Built in 1886, the historical railway station in Dargai forms the lifeline of upper parts of the province by catering to its need for a large-scale transportation of goods and passengers.

Besides promoting national integration, the facility had also been contributing to the economic growth of Malakand, Mardan, Charsadda and Swabi districts and proving an easy link to Buner, Swat, Dir, Chitral and northern areas.

The facility remained fully operational till 1992. The arrival and departure of several freight wagons and passenger coaches from Karachi to Dargai and other parts of the country was a routine matter.

The local traders enjoyed the rail facility to bring and send goods from and to Punjab and Sindh provinces, but the authorities winded it up without presenting any sound reason, leaving people of the region in the lurch.

Sources said that of 11 stopover stations from Nowshera to Dargai, the staff of several stations including Rashakai, Mardan, Gujaro Ghari, Takhtbhai, Hatyan, Risalpur, Kalpai and Dargi, were drawing their salaries and other benefits regularly. The rail track from Nowshera to Dargai is still in good condition and fit for rail transportation.

The rare rail turbine at Dargai station is also in good condition to meet the engine requirements. The waiting room, offices, a warehouse, ticket office and platform can be put to use with small repair work.

Official sources said the record and other assets of the railway station were at high risk due to seepage of the building. They alleged that land grabbers were gradually occupying the property of the department owing to closure of railway station.

They said that only one employee was residing at one of the 29 residential quarters at Dargai railway station while the rest were in possession of outsiders on nominal rents.

The officials said the last freight train with goods from Wazir Mention, Karachi, reached Dargai on April 14, 2010. They said according to the balance record register, the daily income of the station was in millions.

They added that the carriage charges of one bogie goods from Karachi to Dargai were about Rs35,000 while transportation of the same goods in trucks would cost Rs250,000.

The officials said that hundreds of loaded trucks and trailers were daily plying from Punjab and Sindh to Malakand. More than 50 buses from Dir, Swat and other parts of Malakand division were being departed to Karachi, they added.

“If the rail service is resumed, all the revenue can be diverted again to Pakistan Railways,” they remarked.

The social and political circles, particularly business community of Malakand division, have urged Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Biluor, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and officials of the department to resume the rail services to Dargai.