LAHORE, April 25: Operation of all passenger trains suspended for want of locomotives will be resumed in phases.

Some 15 locomotives will be added to the Pakistan Railways fleet within a fortnight or so, PR General Manager (Operations) Junaid Qureshi told newsmen after re-launching Quetta Express at the Lahore railway station on Thursday.

Availability of locomotives would also enable the PR to improve freight service from Karachi as now two goods trains were leaving the Sindh capital daily, said Mr Qureshi who was accompanied by Additional General Manager (Traffic) Javed Anwar Bubak, Lahore Divisional Superintendent Farrukh Taimoor Ghazali, PR Police Inspector-General Syed Ibne Hussain and other officers. Resumption of freight service would help decrease the deficit of the railways. Better utilisation of resources and availability of locomotives have enabled railways earn Rs2.140 billion more than previous year.

Terming the restoration of Quetta Express a step forward towards revival of the railways, Mr Qureshi said that fourth passenger train would also be launched under public-private partnership. “Bolan Express will start chugging between Quetta and Karachi capitals shortly as the joint ventures of Business Express, Shalamar Express and Night Coach have been successful,” said the general manager.

Mr Qureshi said special measures had been taken to ensure safety of all Quetta-bound passenger trains.

“Railways owe Rs1.2 billion to the Pakistan State Oil, but there is no shortage of diesel in any division of the PR at present,” he told a questioner.

Restored after one-and-a-half years or so, Quetta Express would cover the distance between Lahore and Quetta in 32 hours.

Comprising one first class sleeper and six economy class coaches, Quetta Express train would be leaving Lahore at 5pm to reach Quetta at 4:30pm the next day via Faisalabad.

Economy class fare will be Rs1,080, while sleeper will cost Rs1,840. — Staff Reporter