The Sibi Harnai train service has been restored after 18 years in Balochistan. According to details, an inauguration ceremony was held at Sabi Railway Station for the restoration of the Sibi Harnai train service. The ceremony was inaugurated by the caretaker Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan and the caretaker Federal Minister of Railways, Shahid Ashraf Tarar.
Addressing the Sabi to Harnai train service restoration ceremony, Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Ali Mardan Domki said that the long-closed Sibi-Harnai section is being reopened.
The railway’s track was made dysfunctional after a series of bomb blasts that damaged 22 steel bridges in the highly rugged and inaccessible area. The caretaker chief minister of Balochistan said that this railway track was closed in February 2006. The restoration of the train service will increase employment opportunities, and the railway service will make it easier for patients to go to big cities in time.
In March 2016, a contract for rehabilitation and restoration of the Sibi-Harnai railway track, along with the upgrading of railway stations, was awarded to the NLC.
During the initial survey of the track, it was found that 22 steel bridges were destroyed and required replacement for the restoration of the train operation.
A railway official said a total of nine railway stations, along with tracks, had been upgraded by NLC engineers. This includes the reconstruction of Harnai Railway Station and a complete renovation of Sibi Railway Station as well. This could be regarded as the finest railway station in Balochistan.
CM Balochistan said that Bolan Mail will also be restored on December 25. Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti Express will be restored in the second phase. The freight trains will also run from Balochistan.
He reassured the people of Balochistan that both the federal and provincial governments are dedicated to alleviating the sense of deprivation. The Pakistan Railways restored train services at Sibi-Harnai section on Sunday. The train services on the section were suspended 18 years ago when militants had destroyed main bridges and railway tracks in 2005.
Balochistan caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Domki and caretaker Minister for Railways, Communications and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar inaugurated the train service at a ceremony held at the Sibi Railway Station.
On the demand of the people of Sibi and Harnai, the Pakistan Railways had started reconstruction of railway bridges and laying new railways tracks with the support of members of security forces.
The caretaker CM also hinted at more positive developments for Sibi and Balochistan in the future.
