Pakistan Railways would commence Eid Operations from November 10 and the preparations have been finalised to fully facilitate thousands of passengers leaving for their hometowns on Eid-ul-Azha. A comprehensive strategy has been chalked out to cope with the Eid rush as millions would leave for Eid celebrations after November 15.
Under the plan, additional coaches would be attached with local and express trains besides launching special Eid trains. Senior Reservation Supervisor, Pakistan Railways, Malik Mushtaq, informed APP that online reservation facility has been launched for the passengers.
Under the directions by Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Divisional Superintendent Railways Jalal Khan and Divisional Commercial Officer Railways Imran Mishaal have taken drastic steps to facilitate the passengers.
"In a revelational move, Pakistan Railways would lay special focus on running local trains for Jhelum, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sialkot and other major and small cities of the country," he added.
Moreover, he said, Pakistan Railways has achieved another milestone by ensuring that both non-stop trains between Rawalpindi and Lahore reach their destination in four hours stipulated time. He said Margallah Express would leave Rawalpindi for Lahore at 7am and reach its destination at 11am while Islamabad Express would leave Rawalpindi for Lahore at 6pm and reach at 10pm. "This is also the most comfortable and cheapest travel from Rawalpindi to Lahore as you have to pay Rs 200 for economy class. For Lower Air Condition Class one has to pay Rs 440 while for business class the fare is Rs 590," he added. Each year, the passengers face problems due to lack of transport facilities. Mostly, people don't use Railways because the trains do not reach their destinations on time and prefer private transport coaches for short hours travelling and railways for more than 12 hours travelling.
However, the officials of Pakistan Railways have planned to facilitate its customers this year with a vision to provide better facilities and advanced methods of reservation and ticketing.