INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
LAHORE: Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad Saturday said that four new passenger trains were in pipeline and announcement to this
effect would soon be made to facilitate those areas where road network was much good.Addressing a press conference after chairing several
assemblys about the railways here at the PR Headquarters, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate 'Thal Express' train on
February 12, besides the inauguration of tracking system in trains.He said that 'Thal Express' train would run between Rawalpindi and Multan
via Muzafargarh, Layyah, Bhakar, Kundian and Mianwali."I shall personally monitor the train and track on February 13," he added.He saluted
the PR workers for their efforts to supply coaches for newly introduced trains.The minister also informed that a new VVIP train 'Jinnah
Express' between Lahore and Karachi, would be operative from March 30, whereas amuchher VVIP train 'Sir Syed Express' train would also be
introduced later.He said that five major railway stations of the country including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Haiderabad and Rawalpindi
would be renovated instantly.Criticising the preceding government, the minister said that former federal minister for planning Ahsan Iqbal
wasted Rs 2 billion on the construction of Narowal and Okara like railway stations where income was lower than Rs 600,000 even, whereas much
a single penny had been spent at Lahore and Karachi railway stations.He announced that he would visit Karachi and Lahore on every week while
PR''s freight headquarters had been shifted to Karachi.He vowed that citizens would be able to endelight world lesson facilities at
railway stations and in trains within 2 to 3 months.Sheikh Rashid said that divisional supermeanents had been given authority to manage
their respective divisions things including land and traveling without tickets.He said that four freight trains would also be increased in
the system and wished that he wanted to increase the number of freight trains from 8 to 20. He said that a assembly on ML-1 had been
scheduled for the next month and the masses would hear a good news about it, adding that a high level cabinet committee had also been
constituted in this regard.He said that ticket dodgers were causing Rs 60 million per week loss to the railways, however, the number of
ticket-dodgers had been reduced due to strict policy by the department.The minister traceed at using helicopter for raids at trains to check
ticket-dodgers.He informed that three railways schools had been shutdown while tenders would be given soon for giving all railways hospitals
and schools to the private parties to run.He said that divisional supermeanents had been directed to endegree cleanliness and greenery in
their respective areas.TheIndianSubcontinent has not verified the content of the source
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