Train derailment hits modernisation

Hamza Ali, who opted to travel via rail after a couple of years, arrived early at Lahore Railway Station on Friday, pleasantly surprised by the modernised Central Induction Passenger (CIP) lounge. Air-conditioned waiting rooms, clean restrooms, free Wi-Fi, tea service, and reclining chairs were a welcome change from the outdated and overcrowded facilities he had been used to.

"This is something you would expect at an international airport, not a railway station in Pakistan," he told The Express Tribune with a smile, appreciating the visible improvements. As the Islamabad Express departed for its journey, Ali felt optimistic about the direction Pakistan Railways was finally taking.

But just an hour into his journey, that optimism quickly turned into fear and disbelief. Near Kala Shah Kaku, a sudden jolt sent panic through the coaches. Several bogies of Islamabad Express derailed, tossing luggage and passengers around. Although there were no fatalities, many were injured, and the train service was suspended for hours. "The moment it happened, I thought we were going to die," Ali explained. "All that comfort vanished in a second. I am not sure I will ever feel safe travelling by train again."

This contrast encapsulates the current state of Pakistan Railways; a corporation trying to modernise and attract passengers with new facilities yet struggling to ensure basic travel safety. Over the past years, the railways ministry has taken several initiatives to improve infrastructure at major stations like Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Newly constructed passenger lounges, clean platforms, and digitised ticketing systems aim to offer a better experience, especially to premium travellers. The Lahore station's new CIP lounge is part of this broader plan to enhance customer service and restore public trust.

However, a series of accidents — derailments, collisions, and even terrorist attacks — continue to shake passenger confidence. The derailment of the Islamabad Express near Kala Shah Kaku is not an isolated incident. In July alone, three minor derailments were reported on Main Line 1 (ML-1), the busiest and most crucial rail artery of the country. ML-1 carries more than 70% of the passenger and freight traffic in Pakistan, but its decades-old infrastructure and rolling stock are in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul.

Pakistan Railways has been pinning its hopes on the much-delayed ML-1 upgrade, a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The $6.8 billion project aims to modernise 1,872 kilometres of track from Karachi to Peshawar, enabling faster and safer travel. While earlier discussions with China seemed promising, the financing has faced continuous delays. Recently, railway officials have started engaging with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to co-finance certain sections of ML-1, particularly those involving high-traffic zones.

A senior railway official, seeking anonymity, admitted that internal challenges are as daunting as external ones. "The biggest issue is institutional inertia. Despite repeated accidents, safety audits are often delayed. Funds meant for maintenance are either diverted or lapsed. We are pushing hard to bring reforms, but the pace is slow due to bureaucratic hurdles," the official said. He added that the current management is now trying to set up a dedicated Railway Safety Authority to monitor the condition of tracks, rolling stock, and signal systems in real time.

Despite the setbacks, Pakistan Railways has managed to post a modest increase in revenue. For FY25, the entity has earned Rs93 billion, up from Rs88 billion the previous year. This increase is attributed to higher ticket fares, improved cargo handling, and a rise in online bookings. But security concerns are adding another layer of complexity apart from derailments.

In recent months, passenger trains in Balochistan and Sindh have been targeted by militants, raising alarms over the safety of passengers and railway staff. The department has now proposed the deployment of dedicated Railway Police squads on long-distance trains and is in talks with provincial governments to increase intelligence sharing to prevent such incidents.

The challenge for PR management and its minister is much bigger and more serious. The task is no longer just about upgrading infrastructure or increasing revenues. It is about rebuilding the trust of passengers like Hamza Ali, who now weigh the risks every time they book a train ticket. The railways may be rolling out new facilities and planning mega-projects, but unless it can guarantee safe and secure travel, those efforts may ultimately be derailed.