Two derailments in a day expose railway infrastructure

Aging tracks endanger passengers' lives; freight and passenger trains derailed, no facilities for stranded travellers

HYDERABAD:

The deteriorating condition of Pakistan Railways' infrastructure continues to put passengers' lives at risk. On a single day in Hyderabad, two separate train derailments occurred — first involving three wagons of a freight train in the morning, the second was the derailment of a bogie from a passenger train in the evening. The incidents have raised serious concerns over the safety and maintenance of railway operations.

The first accident took place when three wagons of a freight train derailed near the Hyderabad Junction station and crashed into Platform No. 1, damaging both the track and the platform severely. The derailment disrupted up-track train services, and several passenger and freight trains were halted at various points.

Railway authorities deployed cranes and technical teams to restore the derailed wagons, but slow-paced repairs left the freight train stranded on-site for several hours.

While the repair work was still underway, a second mishap occurred in the evening when a bogie of the Pakistan Express, travelling from Karachi to Rawalpindi, derailed near the same junction. Thanks to the driver's quick reflexes and emergency braking, a major disaster was averted. However, the incident caused panic among passengers, many of whom jumped out of the bogie in fear.

Due to the blocked up-track, trains were being rerouted through alternate platforms and the railway yard, leading to confusion and congestion. Following the derailment of the *Pakistan Express*, passengers — including women and children — were made to sit inside the derailed coach in the scorching heat for over an hour, without any facilities or proper guidance.

Instead of addressing passenger concerns, Hyderabad Station Master Muhammad Siddiq reportedly advised them to remain seated inside the bogie with their luggage. Eventually, railway staff detached the damaged bogie and instructed passengers to shift to another coach — again without any assistance. Women and children were seen carrying heavy luggage themselves during the transfer.

Frustrated by the lack of support, passengers staged a protest, demanding a high-level inquiry into both incidents and accountability for railway officials.

Railway sources revealed that years of neglect have left the tracks rusted and equipment worn out, making derailments a common occurrence. Despite repeated incidents, no serious effort has been made to maintain or overhaul the infrastructure. The derailed bogie of the *Pakistan Express* was finally lifted with the help of a crane and sent to the workshop, and the train resumed its journey with a delay of over two and a half hours. The freight train, however, had not departed for its destination till late in the night.

When contacted, Station Master Muhammad Siddiq declined to comment on the causes or details of either derailment. It is worth noting that such derailments have occurred frequently at Kotri Railway Station over the years - and now seem to be spreading to Hyderabad Junction as well.