'Railways ready to provide freight train to Gujranwala businessmen'

Railway Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has said that Railways administration is ready to provide one freight train to the business community of Gujranwala on daily basis if they provide cargo of one train daily. He was talking to the office-bearers and businessmen of Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday. "We will construct a dry port equipped with modern facilities at Gujranwala where freight trains will arrive directly from Karachi for final clearance. All sort of facilitation will also be provided to the people to boost their business," he added.

Earlier, Rasheed Ahmed inaugurated new Lahore-Gujranwala Shuttle Train at Gujranwala railway station. The train will stop at Badami Bagh, Shahdara, Kala Shah Kaku, Muridke, Sadhoke, Kamoke, Eminabad and Gujranwala city while the fare is Rs 100 only so that the poor can avail the facility on cheap rates, he said while addressing media persons.

He further said that initially three trains would run on the route but more trains will be added later in order to have four trips per day. In order to give relief and a better environment during summers, air conditioned coaches will also be added for passengers of these trains he said, adding that the traffic load of Karachi would be shifted to the Karachi Circular Railway in a similar manner.

By the end of April, new passenger coaches will be added while the old ones will be repaired and fitted with the latest facilities. Railways are also working on the branding of railway stations for which tenders would be given soon, the minister said. He also said that the revenue from freight and passenger trains has been more than the target. Pakistan railways will become profitable organization within five years, he claimed.