PR operating 15 trains upcountry

ISLAMABAD—With day and night strenuous efforts Pakistan Railway Karachi Division was able to operate 15 mail and express trains from Karachi for upcountry destinations.
Despite heavy blow caused to train operation system with grate damages caused to rolling stock, railway stations, communication and signalling system, the railway was able to start train operation system with two trains on December 31 within 48 hours of mob attacks and raised their number just within 5 days to 15 trains.
The trains operated on Sunday included Khyber Mail, Tezgam, Allama Iqbal Express, Hazara Express, Awam Express, Millat Express, Bahauddin Zakaria, Shalimar, Baluchistan Express, Super Express, Fareed Express, Karakoram and Pakistan Express while Sukkur Express is being run on alternate days due to non- availability of coachs.
DS Railway Mir Mohammed Khaskheli told APP that with the availability of coaches, not only Sukkur Express will be operated on regular basis but also Khushhal Khan Khattak Express will also be run within day or two.
He said that operation of this train was suspended because of most of the stations between Kotri and Dadu were burnt and communication and signaling system completely destroyed and which are now being restored by railway engineers and technicians.
Mr Khakheli said that in order to make the burnt stations operation, make-shift arrangements are being made to facilitate the train operating staff under tents. In order to provide them due security, Railway police have been provided tents at all stations of Karachi Railway Division. He said the Station Masters of burnt stations are working with communication systems setup under make-shift arrangements. Railway is procuring tents for them.
According to the DS Railway in order to main supply of essential commodities from port to upcountry, the frequency of oil and freight trains has also been increased and at present upto 8 such trains are being run daily.—PR