88 unmanned railway crossings in Balochistan: DS Pakistan Railways

The Baloch Hal News

QUETTA: Divisional Superintendent Pakistan Railways Quetta Division Maqbool Ahmed Magsi while expressing concern over 88 unmanned railway crossings out of total 121 on railway track passing through Quetta division, said the provincial government had been apprised of the situation which may cause loss of human lives in future.

Addressing a press conference here Saturday, he expressed his grievance over Mian Chunnu incident that claimed precious lives of children as saying, the provincial government had been asked several times to release funds for the construction of underpasses and bridges at railway crossings.

He said that Quetta division had earned Rs 13.5 million in 2009 which was Rs 6 million in 2008.He noted that 36 locomotives could meet the requirement of PR Quetta division while unavailability of their spare parts added to problems making trains late and causing inconvenience to commuters.

All-out efforts are being made to lessen the inconvenience of the people traveling through trains, he said, adding endeavors of PR Quetta division had reduced sabotaging incidents from 31 in 2008 to 16 in 2009.

He urged media to play role in making public cognizant of unmanned railway crossings. Work on Chaman-Qandhar (Afghanistan) railway track would be started soon as its feasibility report has been completed, he added.