Gujranwala: Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, in a recent press
exchange, stated that should the Gujranwala business community commit itself to
providing cargo for at least one train daily, the Pakistan Railways would
reciprocate by setting-up a dry port in the city — with the initiative aimed at
allowing freight trains to directly travel to and from Karachi, a news source
reported.
The minister made the declaration during a meeting held with the members of
the Gujranwala Chambers of Commerce, where he informed the attendees that the
cargo service would help local traders by providing a boost to their business
activities.
Minister Rasheed officially launched the Lahore-Gujranwala Shuttle Train
service at the Gujranwala railway station on February 24 – with the initiative
aimed at connecting Lahore to Gujranwala city, as well as to the various town
and city localities that come in between; including Badami Bagh, Shahdara, Kala
Shah Kaku, Muridke, Sadhoke, and Eminabad. Various news sources have confirmed
that the service’s one-sided fair amounts to PKR 100.
Rasheed further revealed that the shuttle service is expected to make four
trips daily during the advanced stages of its operations; while also being
fitted with dedicated air-conditioning facilities for the added comfort of
travelers.
The railways ministry is also similarly looking to shift the traffic load from Karachi’s road system via the Karachi Circular Railway project, he added.
