The Lahore Faisalabad train service is all set to be restored from November 15, as Pakistan Railways engineering teams have almost completed work on the railway bridge that collapsed in the August floods near Sheikhupura.
At present, the engineering teams are inspecting the newly laid track, while the civil work has been completed apart from some ongoing jobs. The federal minister for railways will inaugurate the restored service on November 15, when train operations formally resume on the route.
“The work on the new embankment, track laying has almost been completed, paving the way to restore the rail traffic on Nov 15, the day when the federal minister for railways will inaugurate it, restoring the train operations at this important route,” Pakistan Railways Chief Executive Officer Hafeezullah told Dawn on Sunday.
Work on the Massan Kalar Bridge was launched during the third week of September, after the floodwater receded. Before that, a consultant designed the project and suggested building a solid embankment with water passages under other bridges, so that a collapse of this kind does not happen again.
“As per the design, the team started work and completed the project in a record time,” Hafeezullah said. He added that the restoration of rail traffic would provide an affordable travel facility to passengers at large.
A trial run before the Lahore Faisalabad train service opens
A trial train operation on the route will begin within the next couple of days, so that the authorities can start train operations formally on November 15. The trial run will test the new track and the rebuilt bridge under load before passengers board.
According to Lahore Railways Divisional Superintendent Inamullah Khan, the project was worth Rs455 million and involved civil, mechanical and electrical works.
“This route is very important for us since it gives us considerable revenue. Trains operating on this route include Shalimar Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express, Karakoram Express and a couple of freight trains subject to availability of goods for transportation,” he said.
Deputy Divisional Superintendent for Infrastructure Qazi Jawad Ahmed conducted a motor trolley inspection of the Lahore-Sheikhupura railway track on Sunday to review the progress of the work, accompanied by Divisional Engineer Chaudhry Nasir Hanif and other railway officials. The team reviewed the pace of rehabilitation and construction work on the bridge and assessed what was needed to speed up its completion.
What the floods did to the line
Flooding in the Ravi and Chenab rivers, along with breaches in Nullah Deg and Bherr, wreaked havoc across the catchment area, eroding the soil beneath railway bridges and forcing the suspension of rail traffic on the Lahore-Faisalabad section via Shahdara and Sheikhupura.
The flooding isolated the railway line at two bridges, including a major bridge near Qila Sattar Shah on the Lahore-Shahdara-Sheikhupura-Faisalabad section. Pakistan Railways cancelled all departures from Lahore to Faisalabad, as well as Lahore-Karachi and Khanewal-Lahore trains that run via Faisalabad.
The restoration closes a gap of nearly three months in which passengers between the two cities had to use the road instead. Bus fares on intercity routes were cut by 5 per cent during the same period, which gave road travellers some relief while the railway line stayed shut.
The damage to the line was part of a wider battering of Punjab’s infrastructure by water. Pakistan needs 18 billion dollars of investment in water security, and heatwaves are already threatening food security in the province, according to a United Nations report. The rebuilt bridge, with water passages designed in from the start, is a small part of that larger repair.
Lahore railway station itself has been restored as a heritage site, and the return of trains to Faisalabad restores one of the busiest sections of the network that runs through it.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Lahore-Faisalabad train service resume?
Train services on the Lahore-Faisalabad route resume on November 15, when the federal minister for railways will inaugurate the restored service.
Why was the service suspended?
The Massan Kalar Bridge near Sheikhupura collapsed in the August floods. Flooding in the Ravi and Chenab rivers and breaches in Nullah Deg and Bherr eroded the soil beneath railway bridges on the section.
How much did the repair cost?
The project cost Rs455 million and covered civil, mechanical and electrical works, according to Lahore Railways Divisional Superintendent Inamullah Khan.
Which trains run on the route?
The Shalimar Express, Badar Express, Ghauri Express and Karakoram Express run on the route, along with freight trains when goods are available for transport.
Will there be a trial run first?
Yes. A trial train operation will begin within the next couple of days, so the new track and the rebuilt bridge can be tested before passenger services start on November 15.
