KARACHI: Pakistan Railways resumed the 213-up Moenjodaro Express with major modifications from the City Station here on Monday.

Prior to the suspension of train operations some five months ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Moenjodaro Express was destined for the ML-II track between Kotri and Rohri via Sehwan, Dadu, Larkana, Shikarpur and Sukkur.

The restored Moenjodaro Express will now travel between Karachi and Multan, thereby travelling on the ML-I path from Karachi to Kotri and ML-II path from Kotri to Multan en route Dadu, Larkana, Jacobabad, Rajanpur, DG Khan and Muzaffargarh.

The train comprises seven economy class coaches with a cumulative seating capacity of 616 passengers. The extension in the train’s capacity is said to benefit labourers and workers from interior of Sindh and southern Punjab who work in Karachi as it will provide them with the cheapest option for the journey, to and fro, between their native place and Karachi.

While talking to the media, Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways in Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, said that the Moenjodaro Express may not be a new train but its route had been extended to facilitate the public.

“Though the train will take almost 24 hours to travel between Karachi and Multan, it offers the cheapest possible fare of Rs920 per berth for a journey of approximately 1,000 kilometres,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2020