Trains likely to start chugging from Wednesday: railways minister

Rashid says people are rushing railway stations to return to their homes to celebrate Eid

ISLAMABAD: Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has expressed hope that train operations across the country would resume from Wednesday, saying that the move cannot be delayed as people stuck in different cities due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown are desperate to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families.

Addressing a news conference, the railways minister said the final decision regarding resumption of train operations would be taken after a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.

The minister expressed his apprehension that if the train operations were not restored on time, Pakistan Railways would not be able to control the rush at railway stations across the country ahead of Eidul Fitr. “Train operations will resume after opening of the Karachi track.”

Rashid said that people had made advance bookings worth Rs240 million because of Eid and were constantly in contact with the railways for the resumption of train service. “If the train service is not restored, the railways will have to refund the payments.”

He said the railways was already under severe financial crisis and if the same situation continues, it would put extra burden on the department.

He said the people who had booked tickets in advance would be given priority as soon as the train services resumed in the country.



On precautionary measures taken against the contagious coronavirus, he said, “Trains have already been disinfected and the staff members briefed regarding the standard operating procedures (SOPs). We do realise that resumption of train services will multiply our responsibilities in terms of ensuring safety and wellbeing of passengers. However, we are ready to perform our duties."

Railways Chairman Habibur Rehman Gilani told The Express Tribune that all arrangements were in place to ensure the safety of passengers in the wake of Covid-19 if the authorities decide to resume the service. “Online booking facility has been provided while the occupancy will be only 60% to maintain social distancing in line with the SOPs.

It is mandatory for the passengers to wear face masks and arrive at the station an hour before the train’s departure. They will be allowed to reach the platform only after passing through disinfectant walkthrough gates.

The chairman said only those passengers who have made advance bookings would be allowed to board the trains.

The train operation of 140 passenger trains was suspended on March 26 to stop Covid-19 from spreading. Gilani said that Rs15 million worth of tickets were refunded to the passengers who had booked tickets for different dates falling after March 26. Since then, the reservation offices have been closed.

The organisation has suffered a loss of over Rs6 billion due to the suspension of operation of its 140 trains for the past 53 days. The losses suffered by the organisation are also increasing because of a decrease in freight traffic.

Sources confirmed the railways minister’s statement that a decision about resuming the train operations would be taken this week. The government has already extended the lockdown period but exempted several sectors from the restrictions.