Iconic Cantt Railway Station undergoes facelift

PM set to inaugurate upgraded Shalimar Express today

KARACHI:

Pakistan Railways has completed the long-awaited upgradation of the historic Cantt Railway Station, providing passengers with a range of modern facilities ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit today (Monday). The premier will review the project and inaugurate the refurbished Shalimar Express along with the newly introduced passenger amenities.

The renovation work — carried out under the supervision of Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi — has been completed on schedule. Officials said the minister has been in Karachi for the past two days to personally monitor progress.

Karachi Cantt Station, the city's central rail hub, was originally built during the colonial British era. Construction began in 1896 and had been completed in 1898. In those years, the project had cost a whopping 80,000 rupees to the British.

Today's Cantt Station was initially known as Frere Street Railway Station. Located near Dr Daudpota Road in Saddar, the station houses a hospital, mosque, and police station. The Sindh government has declared the structure a protected heritage site, and it has undergone several renovations over the decades.

Under the latest upgradation, the station now features two modern CIP (Commercially Important Persons) lounges, three waiting halls, four escalators, executive washrooms, and POS machines for instant ticketing. ATM machines have also been installed for passenger convenience. Information desks have been set up in line with contemporary standards, while a QR code-based digital complaint system has been introduced to ensure quick redressal by the Ministry of Railways and headquarters.

To improve sanitation, Pakistan Railways has partnered with the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), which will maintain round-the-clock cleanliness through mechanical sweeping at the station and surrounding tracks. Standardised stalls have been installed to maintain visual uniformity, and a modern public announcement system has been introduced for accurate and uninterrupted passenger guidance.

Officials said the Karachi Cantt Station upgrade is part of PM Shehbaz Sharif's directive to modernise railway stations nationwide, with similar projects planned across Sindh in phases.

The prime minister will also inaugurate the upgraded Shalimar Express today.