Coach of 211-Up Passenger Train Derails Near Kalakhatai; No Injuries Reported
NAROWAL, July 22 – A coach of the 211-Up passenger train derailed near Kalakhatai Railway Station while traveling from Lahore to Narowal on Monday. Fortunately, all passengers remained safe as the train was moving at a slow speed when the incident occurred.
Third Derailment in Recent Weeks Raises Safety Concerns
This derailment marks the third accident in recent weeks along the Shahdara-Narowal-Sialkot railway section. Earlier incidents include the derailments of the Sialkot Express on June 27 and the Lasani Express on July 5, both attributed to the deteriorating condition of the railway tracks.
Details of the Incident
The train departed Lahore at 7:15 a.m., and coach number 4 suddenly derailed near Kalakhatai station. The accident caused disruption to rail traffic on this busy route, resulting in the temporary halting of the Lasani Express (Sialkot to Lahore) and Allama Iqbal Express (towards Karachi) at Narang Mandi Railway Station.
Railway mechanical and engineering teams promptly arrived at the scene and managed to restore the damaged track after four hours.
Passengers Voice Safety Concerns
Daily commuter Hafiz Abdul Qayyum expressed serious concerns about the poor condition of the railway tracks, which have reportedly worsened over the years due to neglect and theft of essential parts like nuts and bolts. He lamented that despite the railway’s profits, authorities have not invested adequately in maintenance, putting passengers at risk.
Calls for Government Action
Following the incident, passengers staged protests demanding urgent intervention from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Railway Ministry. They urged authorities to take immediate steps to repair the tracks and improve safety measures to prevent future accidents.
