LAYYAH, Sept 27: Suspension of three trains running on the Multan-Kundian track has deprived millions of people of southern Punjab of cheap travel facilities.

Shortage of locomotives has led to closure of Maher Express (127-up and down from Multan to Rawalpindi via Layyah), Thal Express (129-up and down from Multan to Rawalpindi via Layyah) and Marri Indus passenger train (319-up and 320-down from Marri Indus to Multan via Layyah).

Now only Khushaal Express (19-up and 20-down from Peshawar to Karachi via Layyah) has been left to transport people of the region to various areas.

Maher Express was suspended on Sept 8, Thal Express on Sept 10 and Marri Indus passenger train on Sept 1. Dawn

Akbar Ali, a student who was waiting at the Layyah Railway Station for a train to reach Multan, told that rich rulers could not empathise poor people's problems.

Station Master Muhammad Ashraf said notification of closure of these trains had not been issued so far and commuters were being informed on a daily basis about cancellation of these trains because of unavailability of engines. The daily income of the railway station has decreased from Rs80,000 to Rs1,00,000 to Rs2,000 to Rs5,000, he added.

The British government laid down the railway track from Multan to Kundian in the 18th century and trains were run on it in 1876.