PR’s goods train stuck in Dalbandin dust storm for two days

Railways staff refuses to clear tracks due to non-payment of travelling allowance

QUETTA: A train carrying goods from Quetta to Zahedan has been stuck in the Padag area of Dalbandin for two days as the railway tracks have been shrouded by mud due to the heavy dust storm. Ironically, the railways staff refused to clear the tracks, demanding payment of the previous travelling allowance.

For last two days, a Pakistan Railways’ goods train has been stuck in the Padag near the Pak-Iran border city of Dalbandin after a heavy dust storm suspended the rail services.



A video footage of the trapped goods train revealed that a heavy dust storm had completely shrouded the railway tracks in the Padag area where the train with its staff was stuck.

Meanwhile, the railways staff in the area went on a strike and refused to clear the tracks, demanding their previous travelling allowance from the railways officials.

“The train and its staff have been stuck in the dust storm for the last two days. There is no other rescue operation being conducted by the railways department after they have failed in persuading the labour staff to clear the tracks,” said a railways employee asking anonymity.



He said, “The journey from Quetta to Zahedan and back is of four to six days, but due to lack of facilities by the railway officials, it takes more than 20 days for one goods train to make a trip.

“The railways is bearing such a huge loss despite knowing that Quetta-Zahedan railways track is in a dilapidated condition.”
He said that there were no serious efforts being carried out to revamp the track or use machinery to clear mud from the track.

Despite calling railways officials twice, they were unable to comment on the issue.

Pakistan and Iran have announced in January that Pak-Iran passenger train is likely to be started in September this year, but the flaws and dilapidated plight of the railway tracks in Pakistan is cause for concern.