On-time movement of passenger trains hits new low in January

Due to the incompetence and poor strategy of Pakistan Railways authorities, the on-time train operation touched its lowest ebb in January 2024, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.

In January, the percentage of on-time movement of passenger trains reached 25pc as during the month, out of total 1012 trains, 764 locomotives remained delayed.

The railways administration failed to run the smooth operations in fogy season despite lofty claims before the start of winter season that it was buying equipment for improving visibility in the winter season.

Due to bad weather, the railway administration could not set the traffic routine. A total of 1262 hours of train operation were wasted due to continuous delay.

Amid severe weather 550 hours were wasted in connecting issues, 260 hours lost in technical obstacles on the tracks, 293 hours in signal failure, 80 hours in loco failure, 52 hours in carriage, 160 hours in protest, 80 hours due to accidents and 73 hours were wasted in crossings issues.

Trains arriving in Karachi from Punjab, specifically Lahore and Rawalpindi, are delayed due to smog, which has put a load on train operations even where there is no issue of poor visibility.

Passengers had to wait for long hours before boarding their respective trains due to these issue.

Reporter Saeed Ahmed