Bon voyage: Air-conditioned train service launched

DERA GHAZI KHAN: A revamped Khushal Khan Khattak Express launched its air-conditioned service in Dera Ghazi Khan on Tuesday. The new air-conditioned carriages were added after the Pakistan Railways handed over Khushal Khan Khattak Express to the Pakistan Railway Advisory & Consultancy Services Limited [PRACS].

PRACS Deputy Director Khalid Bashir told journalists about the new service at a briefing on Tuesday. Assistant Director Ghulam Murtaza, Area Manager Syed Mehdi Gardezi, Station Manager Jam Muhammad Ayyub and other officers were present.

“We have added a dining car facility in view of high demand from passengers.” Other services include an online ticketing facility and renovation of existing carriages. “The services we have added to this train will make it the passengers’ first choice.”

Bashir said earlier, daily income from the train had been Rs800,000. “The projected income is now Rs2.4 million or more.”

The deputy director said passengers travelling in the Khushal Khan Khattak Express would get biryani and water for Rs50 at Kundh Kot.

Ajab Khan, a resident of Attock, said he was excited to be travelling on the first day of the service launch. “But the train was delayed for two hours because its engine was being repaired...that was a disappointment.”

Muhammad Ali, another passenger, said the Economy Class ticket was affordable and the air-conditioner a blessing. “I am happy with the revamped services but I feel that the compartments are overcrowded.”

He said the train needed additional carriages and compartments to accommodate an increasing number of passengers.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2016.