PR to upgrade Narowal-Kartarpur track

Feasibility report prepared, expected to be presented railways ministry this week

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Railways (PR) planned to upgrade and rehabilitate the Narowal-Kartarpur track to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur from across the border, it emerged on Wednesday.

A feasibility report prepared in this regard is likely to be presented to the Ministry of Railways this week. It takes into account several important features of the prospective track, including its cost, maintenance of station buildings, railway gates, signal system and waiting rooms.

The section has been inactive since 2003 due to its decrepit and faulty lines and had been deemed unsafe for operations. Under the project, a new railway track will be laid at a cost of Rs1 billion.

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According to the details, the railway authorities took the decision to provide better facilities and smooth travelling to the pilgrims.

The station masters' rooms, ticket booths, cabins, signal systems, railway gates and waiting rooms for pilgrims will be upgraded.

Meanwhile, special measures will be taken to ensure that the passengers are provided adequate facilities for unloading and loading their luggage from the train as compared to the normal railway stations and for carrying them to and from the station.

According to the sources, PR Chief Executive Officer Nisar Ahmed Memon said that with the resumption of train service, not only the pilgrims would get a decent travel facility, the railways would also generate more revenue.