Railways to penalise fare dodgers

Factory faces difficulties in preparing coaches for new trains

LAHORE/RAWALPINDI: The Railway Carriage Factory Islamabad is facing difficulties in preparing coaches to implement the announcement of running two new trains, the Jinnah and Sir Syed Express.

On one hand, there is an absence of raw material while on the other, working in double shift is inevitable but the employees are not being paid overtime.

Sources say that if the material is not provided immediately and the overtime is not restored then the preparation of coaches would become difficult and old material will have to be used again.

Regarding making the used AC plants functional, the administration has been told that no guarantee can be given about how long they would be able to run. The cost of the AC plants is stated to be Rs2.4 million.

Deputy Superintendent of Railways Amir Nisar has directed the authorities to ensure provision of quality food products at all railway stations at prices approved by the government.

Nisar has also ordered a crackdown against overcharging stall owners or those selling substandard items. In addition, railway authorities have also started a crackdown against passengers travelling without tickets.

Talking to media after an inspection visit, the DS said staff is deployed at all railway stations, including Lahore, to guide and assist the passengers.

“Facilitation staff is deployed at the stations to assist the passengers facing problems in getting tickets or reserving seats,” he said, adding that the railway authorities have been taking extra care to ensure cleanliness and hygiene at all stations, including their platforms and the waiting rooms.

He further said that janitorial staff has been given strict guidelines to perform their duties without negligence, while those not complying will face disciplinary action.

“The railway authorities have set up several teams to check that passengers are sold quality products at reasonable prices,” he said, adding that raids are being conducted to penalise passengers boarding the trains without tickets.

Nisar further added that the authorities have been directed to ensure stalls along the platform are selling quality food to the passengers on the approved rates and action would be taken against violators.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2019.