LAHORE, Jan 26: The Punjab capital has been excluded from the Chiltan Express route. The 21-up/22-down train will now run between Faisalabad and Quetta through Khanewal and Rohri with immediate effect, the Pakistan Railways announced here on Thursday.

However, no reason was given for the re-routing of the express train.

Irrigation dept: The irrigation department has spent 49 per cent funds of its Annual Development Plan till December 31, which is five per cent more than corresponding period last year.

Provincial Irrigation Minister Aamer Sultan Cheema stated this on Thursday while presiding over a meeting held to review the performance of the department in the first six months of the year.

Mr Cheema said total utilization of funds would be ensured during the remaining six months.

Giving details of the plan, he said the ADP included 119 schemes — 43 ongoing and 76 new ones. Of the total allocation of Rs7.13 billion, Rs4.4 billion had been released and the department had used Rs2.9 billion.