LAHORE: The arrival and departure of several passenger and express trains continue to face delays disrupting the overall operations.
The Pakistan Railways (PR) says erosion of the rail track at various spots due to torrential rains in parts of the country and other technical reasons are the major causes for the state of affairs. The department has also sought an apology from the public at large for inconvenience caused to them due to disruption in the trains’ schedule.
“In fact, it is due to torrential rains in various parts of Sindh and Balochistan for the last three weeks. This natural disaster caused destruction to our system including various portions of the track,” PR Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Farrakh Taimur Alazai said in a statement on Friday.
He said the floodwater caused by the heavy rains eroded the portion of the railways line between Jhampir and Meting station (Thattha district). Similarly, the rains also affected the rail track between Kharian and Rawalpindi, he added.
PR says recent rains have aggravated the situation
He said despite facing such a tough situation, the PR field officials not only restored the tracks but also rail traffic. “I do apologise to people for the situation. I assure you that the situation would improve within next few days,” the CEO said, adding that despite facing such a bad situation, none of the trains was cancelled.
Meanwhile, the schedule of various trains remained disrupted. On Friday too, several trains arrived at the Lahore Railway Station from Karachi very late.
According to a spokesman for the PR, Pak Business Express, Khyber Mail Express, Shah Hussain Express, Rehman Baba Express, Karakoram Express, Fareed Express, Millat Express, Tezgam Express, Green Line Express, Allama Iqbal Express, Awam Express, Pakistan Express, Karachi Express-2 and Sir Syed Express arrived hours late. Similarly, Jafar Express arrived four hours late in Lahore from Quetta. The departure of the aforementioned trains from Lahore to other cities also got delayed for hours.
Meanwhile, the PR authorities have allowed one-minute stoppage of Ghauri Express at Farooqabad and Bahalekay stations. The authorities have also allowed two-minute stoppage of Subak Raftar Express at Kharian Cantt station.
The rail authorities have also started implementing the notification allowing 10 per cent decrease in the economy class fares of all passenger trains due to recent reduction in the prices of the petroleum products.
Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2022