Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Friday said that the Quetta-Taftan railway track would be restored by September 30 which was suspended after a vital bridge collapsed due to unrelenting floods.
The federal minister earlier in the day arrived in Quetta and visited the Hirak area of Bolan where an ancient bridge collapsed as a result of the merciless waves of floods. This bridge was constructed in the British Raj.
While addressing a press conference, Rafique informed that the railway track was damaged in 104 locations by the floodwater. The minister ensured that the technical staff will repair the railway track by September 30.
“Pakistan Railways suffered heavy financial loss in Balochistan due to floods,” he added. The minister said that the restoration of railway tracks in the rugged mountains of Bolan would take some time.
The floods affected train services in many parts of the country. The 11-kilometre railway track from Dera Allah Yar to Jacobabad was completely flooded, which made it difficult to operate train services in the affected area.
Rafique informed that Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and civil administration assisted the staff of Pakistan Railways to enhance the restoration of railway tracks in Balochistan and other provinces of the country.
He said that the upgradation of Quetta Railway Station is also under consideration according to the requirements of the people.
Saad Rafique said that Railway tracks have been badly affected by heavy monsoon rains and floods in various parts of the country.
He said federal and provincial governments are taking all possible measures to assist rain affected people. Saad Rafique said everyone should come forward to help rains affected families.
