Linkages: PR willing to run Faisalabad cargo train

Looking for feasibility of proposal, says DDS.

FAISALABAD: Pakistan Railways (PR) is in a position to immediately resume a cargo train from Faisalabad subject to provision of consolidated demand, according to PR Deputy Divisional Superintendent (DDS) Rao Waqar Shahid.

Addressing exporters, industrialists and businessmen at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday, Shahid said that despite unavailability of a goods train from Faisalabad to Karachi, PR is ready to initiate the process if it is economically viable.

The DDS further added that two passenger trains are currently running between the two cities. “We are willing to convert one of those trains into a nonstop exclusive for Faisalabad,” he said, adding that an air-conditioned compartment can also be introduced by PR. He reiterated that he had a strong desire to begin a fast locomotive for Multan-Faisalabad-Rawalpindi.

Highlighting the safety of travelling by train, Shahid said during the last decade, 250-300 train-related casualties were reported excluding incidents of trespassing. On the other hand, 130,000 people lost their lives in road-related accidents during the same period.

Responding to a question, he clarified that there was no policy to sell out the railway land; however, it could be leased out through an open auction.

FCCI President Rizwan Ashraf said that train travel is considered the safest means of transportation. Giving the example of India’s dynamic use of the railway system, Ashraf added that PR should be modernised to play a vital role in the economic development of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2014.

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