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Most of the smuggling is being carried through a train operating between Quetta and Chaman, which is also going in loss. This was revealed before the Senate Standing Committee on Railways which met with Mohammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo in the chair here on Tuesday. The committee decided to raise the smuggling issue in the Senate.
The committee met to consider the agenda the issue of unavailability of water, light, and windowpanes and insufficient bogies in the trains operating between Quetta and Chaman. The issue was raised by Senator Mohammad Usman Khan Kakar in the Senate sitting on April 25, 2019.
Kakar said that trains have been operating between Quetta and Chaman since the British Era and the same route was used for Afghan transit trade, resulting in good revenue for the railways. However, currently a train with only three bogies without windowpanes, lights and water, besides poor conditions of seats, is operating.
He further said that the engines are going out of work after every week and bogies are that of British time. There is no facility at the railways stations. The railways officials stop passengers from purchasing tickets and allow them to travel after receiving bribe. Kakar recommended that there should be at least eight bogies with at least one AC bogie on Chaman and Quetta train. The police guards are also not performing duties, said Kakar, and recommended that fare should be charged from everybody, but at the same time facilities may be provided to the passengers.
A lot of goods are being transported from Chaman to Quetta and other cities through this train. Before reaching the station, train is being stopped for checking in midway and resultantly people suffer for many hours, said Kakar, adding that children repeatedly attack bogies and break glasses.
He also recommended that route between Sibi and Harnai may be restored, as it was being used for transporting coal from Sibi to Harnai, which generates revenue, while good number of passengers are also available.
The Secretary Railways said whatever stated by the senator is true and he agrees with him. He said that the facilities of which the senator has talked about is railways' responsibility. The customs has no right to stop trains in midway and it can only check trains at stations, he added.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Railways said that train between Chaman and Quetta operates in daytime. There is a light problem which would be resolved soon. Whenever the glasses of bogies are broken, they are repaired, he further said. The committee was informed that this train should be outsourced, as most of the smuggling is being carried through this train and it is also running in loss. There is a water problem on this route and 400 liters of water is needed. There is shortage of bogies and old bogies are being rehabilitated while 220 new bogies would be procured.
The committee chairman said that the railways condition is not good and the number of bogies should be increased, besides directing for resolving all problems and reporting to the committee within 15 days. Senator Mirza Mohammad Afridi said that smuggling should be stopped in railways. The inspector general railways informed the committee that goods are being searched for stopping smuggling of weapons and narcotics. The committee chairman said that the matter should be raised in the Senate that it may be referred to the concerned committee.
The railways officials informed the committee that Sibi-Harnai track is in poor conditions due to security constrains; however, it is now being repaired. The government of Balochistan had assured for providing security, but despite holding four meetings the matter is yet to be resolved. The day security is provided, train service would be restored in one month, said the railways officials, adding that without security, trains cannot be operated.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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