Chief minister announces that senior citizens, persons with disabilities will be allowed to travel free of charge
QUETTA:
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday inaugurated the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service in Quetta, with the provincial government announcing free travel for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, provincial ministers, members of the Balochistan Assembly, Pakistan Railways Chairman, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakil Qadir Khan, senior government officials and representatives of political parties.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bugti said the service was the first metro train service of its kind in Balochistan and was intended to provide citizens with safe, comfortable and affordable transportation.
He said the service would benefit workers, students, professionals and other residents of Quetta.
The chief minister announced that senior citizens and persons with disabilities would be allowed to travel free of charge, while fares for other passengers would remain subsidised and affordable.
Bugti said the provincial government planned to expand the service to two trains, allowing trains to operate from both directions in the future.
He said work had already begun on the development of the railway track towards the Bostan Industrial Estate. The government was also considering extending the service towards Pishin, Bostan and Mastung, he added.
According to the chief minister, the initial proposal was to import engines and coaches from China at an estimated cost of Rs50 billion to Rs60 billion, with the project expected to take three to four years to complete.
However, following a proposal by Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi, the government decided to have new engines and coaches manufactured through Pakistan Railways.
Bugti said the decision helped save time and resources while making use of the capacity of the national railway institution.
