Over 40% of Quetta rail bridge restored after terror attack

Train operations set to resume by mid-October as PR pushes forward with repairs

LAHORE:

Pakistan Railways has made significant progress in restoring a bridge damaged by a terrorist attack in Quetta, Balochistan, with 40% of the work now completed, a PR spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.

The repair work, which is being conducted in two shifts under the supervision of Railway Chief Executive Officer Aamir Baloch, is expected to be fully completed by October 15.

The spokesperson said that the restoration is being carried out using the railway's own resources. The damaged bridge, located between the Kolpur and Dozan railway stations in Bolan, was a British-era structure that was targeted in a coordinated terrorist attack on August 26.

As a result of the damage, train operations between Quetta and Sibi, including major services such as the Jaffar Express, Bolan Mail, and Chaman Passenger train, were suspended, causing significant disruptions for thousands of passengers.

The railway department has also incurred substantial financial losses due to the suspension.

The bridge reconstruction, which began immediately after the attack, is advancing swiftly. By September 12, around 20% of the bridge and railway track restoration had already been completed.

Sources within Pakistan Railways anticipate that the project will be finalised by early next month, with train operations resuming shortly thereafter, pending security clearance.

In a related development, technical issues on the Lahore-Okara railway track have been resolved, and the computer-based interlocking system is now operational, allowing trains to run at approved speeds.

The announcement came following the Divisional Superintendent (DS) Special Inspection of the Lahore-Okara section, led by DS Railways Muhammad Hanif Gul on September 7.

Enhanced monitoring by the Railway Lahore Division and the efforts of railway workers were credited for addressing the technical challenges in the area.

The restoration of these key infrastructure points marks a significant step in overcoming the disruptions caused by recent terrorist activities and ensuring safe and efficient train travel across the affected regions.