‘KCR trains better for commute but need more speed’

Railways Chairman Habib-ur-Rehman Gillani took a 14-kilometre-long Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) up-track ride from the Orangi Station to the City Station on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Railways.

“KCR trains offer much better provisions of commuter service as compared to the local service in Karachi, but their speed needs to be increased,” said the chairman. KCR Project Director Ameer Mohammad Daudpota replied that the project would be upgraded in multiple phases and would finally take the shape of an ultra-modern service.

The chairman holistically inquired about the income-expenditure statistics of the KCR trains that were providing commuter service to Karachiites for almost seven months.

The chairman also observed the status of the right-of-way area along the 14km track and was simultaneously briefed about the elimination of encroachments. The chairman was accompanied on the occasion by Pakistan Railways CEO Nisar Ahmad Memon, Karachi Divisional Superintendent Muhammad Hanif Gul and all the other relevant divisional officers.

The statement said that since the revival of the Orangi Station to City Station track on February 10, it was the chairman’s second KCR train ride. The previous one had taken place down-track from the City Station to the Orangi Station on February 18.