The worst ever floods in the history of Pakistan triggered by torrential rains have not only resulted in loss of about Rs 2 billion to the Pakistan Railways (PR) but have also delayed the first ever international container train under the banner of Economic Co-operation Organisation (ECO), it is learnt reliably.
Now the 2nd demonstration train will be launched from Istanbul (Turkey) via Tehran (Iran) to Islamabad (Pakistan) from October 6, informed sources in the Railway Ministry revealed. It is for the third time that the ECO container train has been postponed. Train was first scheduled to be launched on regular basis from August 2010 but due to operational shortcomings it was postponed. The demonstration train on a trial basis for the second time was then scheduled to be launched on August 2, 2010.
However due to floods in the country, rail track between Jakababad and Sibbi has been cut which accounts for the postponement, sources added. Sources revealed that the first demonstration train had taken 14 days to reach Istanbul from Islamabad, which was too long. Technical experts tried to curtail the time from 14 to 11 days.
Due to security reasons it was not possible to run the train at night in some parts of Balochistan, Sindh and Turkey. Similarly there was no agreement on fare fixing. Member countries are working to finalise the fare according to the international standard, sources maintained. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had launched ECO demonstration container train, from Islamabad to Istanbul via Tehran on August 14, 2009. At the time it was decided to work on the modalities of making the container train on Islamabad-Tehran and Istanbul route fully operational.
Technical consultants and experts had finalised a report with the objective of sorting out the shortcomings on the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul route and it was submitted on January 27 in Tehran. Sources revealed that the trial run of the train had identified impediments and obstacles en route over vast terrains of about 6500 Km, spread over three countries.
When contacted Saleem Javed Director Operations and Spokesperson of the Railway Ministry confirmed that floods damaged railway tracks in several areas of Quetta and Sindh. The ECO container train was scheduled to be launched on August 2, 2010, however now it would be launched on October 6, 2010 from Istanbul (Turkey).
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