PHOTO: EXPRESS
Pakistan Railways has started running new trains and activated new routes across the country. However, railway stops from Wazirabad to Faislabad sections have not been restored, creating difficulties for more than a million people residing in surrounding areas, Express News has learnt. The restoration of stops is constantly being ignored by the government and the railways department.
Sources said that the income of 80% of railway stations on this track generate profit, as per the railway department policy. The railway stations on the track from Wazirabad to Faislabad were made during the British era. This track is 156 kilometres long and consists of several railway stations, including Wazirabad, Mansoor Wali, Dharowal King, Jamke Chatha, Manchar Chatha, Ali Pur Chatha, Gajar Gola, Shori Chatha, Hafizabad, Madaryanawala, Kale Ki, Nothe, Sakhe Ki. Ratiyan, Murh Balochan, Sangla Hill, Darul Ahsan, Saiyan Wala, Chak Chamra, Sultan Nagar, Gutti, Nishatabad, Faislabad etc.
Federal Minister for Railways Shaikh Rasheed had announced that train stops of 22 railway stations on this track will be restored soon by running two new passenger trains. However, work on the said project could not materialise.
Sources told Express News that on December 23, another non-stop train named Baba Shah Rehman Express will commence operation from Rawalpindi to Karachi. It will run on the same track, but none of the stations have stops for it.
Citizens appealed to the railways minister and the relevant authorities to take measures to make train stops at the designated stations and avoid ruining this profitable track.
When contacted, Railways Divisional Superintendent Muhammad Sufiyan Dogar said that the passenger train will run on this track soon. “The stops at these stations will be restored and the inspection of the track will be completed in this month,” he maintained.
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