Lahore [Pakistan] March 27 (ANI): A spate of recent derailments has drawn sharp criticism of Pakistan Railways, with opponents saying the authority has prioritised financial gains over passenger safety.
The railways reported strong revenue during the Eid festival, but celebrations were cut short when the Karachi-bound Tezgam Express derailed in Punjab on the first day after Eid, injuring several passengers and refocusing attention on safety lapses, The Express Tribune reported.
Passengers voiced growing frustration. Regular traveller Ahmed Raza said journeys by rail have become increasingly stressful because of repeated accidents, adding that inquiries announced after incidents rarely result in meaningful improvements.
The concern is widening into a broader erosion of commuter trust and appears systemic. In recent days, the Lahore-bound Shalimar Express also suffered an accident. Though not always fatal, the rising frequency of such incidents has alarmed the public. Fares were increased in March amid rising diesel costs linked to global geopolitical tensions, further heightening scrutiny from passengers who now expect safer, more reliable service.
Officials and analysts point to ageing infrastructure as the core problem. Key routes, including Main Line-1 and Main Line-2, still run on old tracks and obsolete signalling systems. Increased train operations without matching upgrades have raised risks significantly. Railway authorities say rehabilitation work is underway and that upgrades to sections such as the Karachi‑Rohri route are planned within three years, but they acknowledge modernising the entire network is a long-term challenge, The Express Tribune reported.
With demand for rail travel remaining high—particularly among lower-income groups—analysts warn that revenue growth alone cannot sustain the system. Without urgent, visible safety improvements, Pakistan Railways risks further loss of public confidence and could undermine its expansion objectives, according to The Express Tribune. (ANI)
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