Dedicated coal train should be started to ensure coal supplies to the industrial units housed in Faisalabad, demanded Engineer Rizwan Ashraf president Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).
He was chairing FCCI standing committee on Pakistan Railways which was also attended by Nadeem Allahwala senior vice president, Innam Afzal Khan vice president and Mirza Hadyat Ullah chairman FCCI standing committee in addition to Station Superintendent PR, Faisalabad Ehsan-ul-Haq. The FCCI President said that shortage of gas has precipitated the demand of coal. Quoting a study on coal demand, he said that minimum demand of per day coal has been worked out around 3000 metric tons. Only a few quantity of coal is brought through Faisalabad Dry Port, he said and added that Pakistan Railways should make arrangements to start a dedicated coal train for Faisalabad. "It will not only ensure sustained supplies of coal to local industry but also help PR to increase its income", he said and added that Railway authorities should also resolve Faisalabad specific issues on top priority basis as it is one of the most profitable station for PR as regards passenger as well as good transportation. He said that despite of its profitability, it is understaffed. It has only five guards as against the demand of 20. Similarly, drivers are also short which is hampering the smooth operation of the trains. Rizwan Ashraf also reiterated a long standing demand of FCCI to lay double track from Faisalabad to Lahore and from Faisalabad to Khanewal. He also demanded immediate restoration of the Railways City Booking Agency at GTS Chowk in order to facilitate citizens as well as frequently travelling businessmen to get advance tickets.