The train service between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which was suspended for the last three months due to the collapse of Railway Bridge in Bolan as a result of damage caused by monsoon rains and floods, has been restored as a train from Machh left for Peshawar today (Sunday). The Jaffar Express consisting of 10 bogeys moved from Macch Railway Station.
As many as 170 passengers were boarding the train. The train service from Balochistan to other provinces known as the Jaffar Express had been suspended on August 25 due to the collapse of a part of the railway bridge near Harak area in Bolan. After three months, the train service has been restored from Machh.
More than 170 passengers travelled from Quetta to Machh by nine coaches of shuttle service, while Jaffar Express that travels from Machh to Peshawar consists of 10 coaches. In this regard, the Railway Administration said that until the train service is restored from Quetta, a shuttle service will be operated between Quetta and Machh.
Pakistan Railways is planning to restore all the closed sections in Balochistan province which could not only generate revenue for the department but also facilitate the masses. “The decision will facilitate the local people of the province and also boost the business activities for the small business owners,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told.
He said that Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique had also taken a keen interest in this regard and asked the concerned official of the department to make a plan for restoration of different sections to generate income in the province. To a question, he said that Pakistan Railways had also planned to start rehabilitation work of a 33-kilometer track through sleeper renewal between Quetta-Bostan.—NNI
