Repairs of flood-ravaged rail tracks to cost Rs140m

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Railways (PR) has initiated efforts to restore railway tracks damaged by recent floods and opened tenders for restoration work, receiving technical and financial bids from 12 private companies.

Sections between Khanewal-Shorkot and Shorkot-Shahinaabad were badly affected during the floods, with an estimated 6-km of track damaged. The restoration cost is estimated at Rs140 million, according to sources.

Meanwhile, trains on the affected route — Rehman Baba Express, Pakistan Express, Millat Express, and Karakoram Express — are being diverted via Lahore-Sahiwal to ensure passengers reach their destinations. The Khanewal-Faisalabad section will remain closed until repairs are completed.

Sources added that to protect Jhang city and nearby residential areas from floodwaters, a section of the Rewaz Bridge embankment was deliberately cut.

Once the tender is awarded, construction work will be completed within 25 days, and normal train schedules via Faisalabad are expected to resume by November.