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Express Tribune
a day ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Two derailments in a day expose railway infrastructure
The deteriorating condition of Pakistan Railways' infrastructure continues to put passengers' lives at risk. On a single day in Hyderabad, two separate train derailments occurred — first involving three wagons of a freight train in the morning, the second was the derailment of a bogie from a passenger train in the evening. The incidents have raised serious concerns over the safety and maintenance of railway operations. The first accident took place when three wagons of a freight train derailed near the Hyderabad Junction station and crashed into Platform No. 1, damaging both the track and the platform severely. The derailment disrupted up-track train services, and several passenger and freight trains were halted at various points. Railway authorities deployed cranes and technical teams to restore the derailed wagons, but slow-paced repairs left the freight train stranded on-site for several hours. While the repair work was still underway, a second mishap occurred in the evening when a bogie of the Pakistan Express, travelling from Karachi to Rawalpindi, derailed near the same junction. Thanks to the driver's quick reflexes and emergency braking, a major disaster was averted. However, the incident caused panic among passengers, many of whom jumped out of the bogie in fear. Due to the blocked up-track, trains were being rerouted through alternate platforms and the railway yard, leading to confusion and congestion. Following the derailment of the *Pakistan Express*, passengers — including women and children — were made to sit inside the derailed coach in the scorching heat for over an hour, without any facilities or proper guidance. Instead of addressing passenger concerns, Hyderabad Station Master Muhammad Siddiq reportedly advised them to remain seated inside the bogie with their luggage. Eventually, railway staff detached the damaged bogie and instructed passengers to shift to another coach — again without any assistance. Women and children were seen carrying heavy luggage themselves during the transfer. Frustrated by the lack of support, passengers staged a protest, demanding a high-level inquiry into both incidents and accountability for railway officials. Railway sources revealed that years of neglect have left the tracks rusted and equipment worn out, making derailments a common occurrence. Despite repeated incidents, no serious effort has been made to maintain or overhaul the infrastructure. The derailed bogie of the *Pakistan Express* was finally lifted with the help of a crane and sent to the workshop, and the train resumed its journey with a delay of over two and a half hours. The freight train, however, had not departed for its destination till late in the night. When contacted, Station Master Muhammad Siddiq declined to comment on the causes or details of either derailment. It is worth noting that such derailments have occurred frequently at Kotri Railway Station over the years - and now seem to be spreading to Hyderabad Junction as well.
Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
RCB issues notices for property reassessment
RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has issued thousands of notices for the reassessment of residential and commercial buildings located along the median strip between Peshawar Road and Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed Road. The move follows the resolution of a longstanding municipal boundary dispute with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) by the federal cabinet. The reassessment, once completed, is expected to generate an additional annual revenue of Rs2 billion for the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB). Property owners receiving notices have been directed to submit ownership and other relevant documents to the RCB within 15 days. Failure to comply will result in a fine of Rs10,000 per property. According to sources, the municipal boundary dispute between the RCB and CDA, dating back to 1980, was settled following a federal cabinet decision. As a result, the cantonment board has begun reassessing properties in the newly designated municipal areas under its jurisdiction. Notices have been issued for document submission, while property owners with outstanding tax liabilities are receiving warning notices. According to a completed assessment covering properties worth Rs6 billion, tax notices were now being sent to owners who had previously withheld payments, citing the boundary dispute. Meanwhile, unassessed properties were under review, with owners required to provide the necessary documentation for tax evaluation. The RCB is reportedly facing severe financial strain, struggling to pay staff salaries on time and clear outstanding payments to contractors for completed development projects. A significant portion of the board's budget is allocated to salaries, utility services, and operational expenses, leaving minimal funds for infrastructure development. With the recent boundary resolution, the RCB expects an annual revenue boost of Rs2 billion from property tax collection. Tax Superintendent Muhammad Siddiq stated that the reassessed areas have been categorised into two groupsone where assessments are complete and Rs6 billion in unpaid taxes are due, and another where assessments are pending, requiring document submissions from property owners. Assistant Secretary and RCB spokesperson Rashid Saqib confirmed that Cantonment Executive Officer Ali Irfan Rizvi has directed strict enforcement of tax collection under a zero-tolerance policy. All measures, he assured, will be implemented within the legal framework. The RCB was established in 1849, with its boundaries formally defined in 1957. In contrast, the CDA was formed in 1960, with Islamabad's district limits finalised in 1963. The municipal boundary dispute led to legal battles in various courts, ultimately resulting in a Supreme Court directive for the federal cabinet to resolve the issue.
