LAHORE: Derailment of two wagons of an empty coal train near Dunyapur Railway Station, left the Up/Down rail traffic suspended on Wednesday on the main line (between Khanewal—Lodhran section) for hours, forcing the railways’ operational staff to divert all goods and passenger trains to alternate route via Multan.

According to an office-bearer of the train drivers association, the train derailed while passing the outer signal of Dunyapur station at about 1:00pm.

“The train was on its way back to Karachi after unloading coal at Yousafwala (Sahiwal) coal-fired power plant. As soon as it passed the outer signal of Dunyapur station at about 1:00pm, its 2nd and 8th wagons from the engine derailed,” driver association’s Karim Bakhsh told Dawn. “As a result, the rail traffic on the main line (Khanewal to Lodhran section) remained suspended for over four hours at least,” he added.

He said a relief train from Samasatta railway junction was dispatched to Dunyapur to put the train’s derailed wagons on track. Finally, at 5:10pm, the goods train was dispatched for Karachi from Dunyapur. “Meanwhile, the rail authorities diverted both Up/Down passenger and goods trains, including Shalimar Express, on the other route via Multan,” he added.

On the other hand, a steel laden truck overturned on the railway track near Badami Bagh station, leaving the rail traffic suspended for a couple of hours.

Departure of a couple of trains, including Karakoram Express (from Lahore to Karachi) also delayed reportedly due to the incident. However, the track was cleared later, restoring the traffic.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2020