The railway traffic from Karachi to up-country will be restored in the next three days after construction of an alternative railway track by August 4 along side the Ran Pathani Railway Bridge which was destroyed on Sunday in torrential rains.
Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid stated this while briefing the media men during his visit to the site of the destruction at Ran Pathani Bridge on Tuesday. "It will take about two months' time to rebuild the original tracks, therefore, we have engaged 1,000 workers for construction of alternative track, which will be completed by August 4 and to be opened to railway traffic immediately," he told the news men.
Sheikh Rashid said the Ran Pathani Bridge was over 100-year-old and its foundation was undermined by a heavy stream of water due to the heavy downpour on Sunday. He ordered conducting survey of all the 100-year and old railway bridges so that a strategy could be evolved for their proper maintenance.
The minister announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for the gangmen of the Railway department for providing timely information about the condition of the Ran Pathani Bridge which, otherwise, would have led to loss of life and property. He said for the time being, buses have been arranged to take passengers from Karachi to Hyderabad.
Sheikh Rashid cancelled leave of all the Railway staff concerned during August to ensure quick completion of construction work. He thanked the Pak Army, police, engineers and others for providing their best services to tackle the problem at hand in bad weather conditions. "I am sorry for the inconvenience being faced by the passengers," he said, and assured that the railway traffic will be restored by August 4. The minister travelled to the site of destruction through train.