‘We will ask Pakistan Railways to run a trial train on KCR track’

Karachi commissioner directs all DCs to expand their anti-encroachment operations

KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani said on Wednesday that they would ask the Pakistan Railways to run a trial train on the track of Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) so that they can assess how the project will operate in the future.

He expressed these views while reviewing the progress of the anti-encroachment operation along the KCR track, in a meeting at his office, said a statement. The commissioner said that in addition to submitting a comprehensive report to the Supreme Court, they will approach the Sindh government to take up the matter with the federal government and Railways Ministry for running a trial train on 20-kilometer track of KCR on an experimental basis.

Appreciating the efforts of all stakeholders in clearing the track within 50 feet of KCR, he called for need to continue anti-encroachment drive till the targets are achieved.



The commissioner directed all deputy commissioners (DC) to expand the operation 110 to 120 feet further from the track and clear encroachments in their jurisdictions.

Railway Deputy Superintendent Syed Mazhar Ali Shah briefed the meeting on the operation carried by respective DCs with the support of Railway police and anti-encroachment cell and added that daily progress report to the Karachi commissioner accordingly.

Operation DIG PR Azhar Rasheed Khan said that the Railway Police, with the support of DCs, are working according to the strategy devised for revival of KCR. The East and West DCs also briefed about the daily progress of the operation launched since May 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2019.