Restoration of Sibi-Harnai section in doldrums
- January 22, 2015, 11:44 am
- Breaking News
- 175 Views
SIBI Jan 21 (PPI): Restoration of Sibi-Harnai section of Pakistan Railways is in doldrums due to non availability of funds and security reasons.
This section closed for the last nine years was causing billions of Rupees losses to Pakistan Railways whereas people are deprived of cheap means of journey and transportation of minerals and agriculture produce by rail is also stopped.
According to details Sibi-Harnai section was planned by cutting high mountains in the area during British times in 1883. In 1948 300 Km Sibi-Harnai- Nakas- Shahrigh-Khost upto Bostan and Zhob was made functional which surprised the world engineers.
Sixty five KM long and thousands of feet high Sor Ghar and Tor Ghar mountainous are rich in mineral wealth from Harnai, Nakas, Shahrigh, Khost upto Zard Aalo.
Thousands of tonnes of coal was transported from Harnai earning benefit of Rupees 500 million daily to Pakistan Railways.
In January 2006 terrorists blew up five big bridges along Sibi-Harnai section and destroyed the track. After that train service was suspended. Since then it was not restored.
Pakistan Railways sources told that survey for the destroyed track and bridges was completed quite earlier involving an estimated expenditure of Rupees 900 million. If federal government ensures provision of funds Sibi-Harnai section can be restored within 9 months.
Closure of this section was causing billions of Rupees losses to Pakistan Railways. In case of restoration this section can meet deficit of Railways of entire country. Prior to 2006 two thousand to 2500 coaches were attached with the trains monthly which carried coal, fruits, vegetables and other goods.
Former caretaker Government tried its best to restore the section but they could not provide relief to the masses. People fo the area are hopeful that Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, PML-N Leader and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif?s leadership abilities can restore this section if it is given serious thought.
People have demanded that there is need to restore closed trains from Balochistan as it is need of hour.
