300 passengers sent to Quetta after explosion halted train service in Balochistan

QUETTA: Train operations have once again been suspended as an explosion cancelled the scheduled Jaffer Express between Bakhtiarabad and Damboli in Balochistan.

At least 300 passengers were sent to the Provincial capital, Quetta, in a separate shuttle train arranged by the authorities.

The Jaffer Express was en route to Quetta from Quetta, which was stopped after the blast damaged the track.

The district government temporarily housed the passengers at the local circuit house.

Coach number seven was partially damaged in the bomb, which was directed at the Bolan Mail, which was headed for Karachi.

For many hours, rail traffic was halted as rescue and security personnel cleared the impacted area.

Moreover, Railway authorities have increased passenger train fares by 2 percent due to the increase in diesel prices.

The railway department has increased coal fares in freight trains by 3 percent and fertilizer fares by 2 percent.

Due to the increase in diesel price by Rs 11.37, Pakistan Railways has incurred an additional burden of Rs 39,86,500 on a daily basis and Rs 119.5 million per month.

On average, 350,000 liters of diesel are consumed on the Pakistan Railways system daily.

Earlier, the Railways Department had decided to privatize 11 trains to provide better travel facilities and increase revenue.

The Railways spokesperson said that under this decision, 11 trains will be privatized, including Hazara Express, Bahauddin Zakaria Express, Millat Express, Rawal, and Badra Express.

In addition, Ghauri Express, Ravi Express, Thal Express, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and Mohenjo-Daro Passenger Train will also be privatized.