Pakistan Railways (PR) has, in principal, decided to privatise all passenger trains operational between Lahore-Narowal sections. Railways administration will invite expression of interest from interested parties in this regard and soon will open a bid for this purpose. The sources in the Railways Headquarter told Business Recorder here on Wednesday.
A senior officer of PR said that department could not operate the passenger trains between Lahore-Narowal section due to shortage of locomotives and operational budget. The private party would be responsible for repair of locomotives and ensure vale added services on passenger coaches. The private operator would determine the fares according to market competition, sources added.
It may also be mentioned here that Pakistan Railways was operating 8Up and Down side trains on Lahore-Narowal section to facilitate the passengers but six of them were Sialkot-bound. The trains which were operational on Lahore-Narowal section were: 9Up-10Down Allama Iqbal between Sialkot-Karachi via Narowal, 217Up -218Down Fast Passenger between Lahore-Sialkot, 125 Up-126 Down Lasani between Lahore-Sialkot and 215 Up-216 Down Fast Passenger between Lahore-Narowal.
It is pertinent to mention here that railways had earlier privatised Lahore-Narowal section in 1990 but later the agreement had been cancelled in this regard. According to informed sources, railways had cancelled 10 passenger trains during last year after facing shortage of locomotives and fuel crisis. The passenger trains, which were terminated included 213 Up-214 Down Hashim Shah, 209 Up-210 Down passenger, 219 Up-220 Down Faiz Ahmed, 333 Up-334 Down Passenger Mix and 211 Up-212 Down Khush Khuram.