Train Services Halted Between Sukkur and Karachi Following Kotri Accident

A passenger train traveling from Sukkur to Karachi derailed at Kotri Junction, leading to the suspension of rail services. Three carriages of the Sukkur Express went off the tracks, damaging railway infrastructure.

In response to the incident, technical teams from Pakistan Railways quickly began repair work to restore the affected tracks. Authorities confirmed that the three derailed carriages were separated from the others, and passengers were safely transferred to the remaining carriages.

As a precaution, other trains, including the Mehran Express and Bahauddin Zakariya Express, have been halted at Hyderabad Station to ensure passenger safety and facilitate repair operations.

In a related development, Pakistan Railways recently reported significant progress in restoring a bridge damaged by a terrorist attack in Quetta, Balochistan, with 40% of the work now completed. The spokesperson indicated that the restoration is being carried out using the railway's own resources.

The damaged bridge, located between the Kolpur and Dozan railway stations in Bolan, was a British-era structure targeted in a coordinated terrorist attack on August 26. As a result of the damage, train operations between Quetta and Sibi—including major services such as the Jaffar Express, Bolan Mail, and Chaman Passenger train—were suspended, causing significant disruptions for thousands of passengers.

The railway department has incurred substantial financial losses due to the suspension, but reconstruction of the bridge, which began immediately after the attack, is progressing rapidly. By September 12, approximately 20% of the bridge and railway track restoration had been completed. Sources within Pakistan Railways anticipate that the project will be finalized by early next month, with train operations resuming shortly thereafter, pending security clearance.

Additionally, technical issues on the Lahore-Okara railway track have been resolved, and the computer-based interlocking system is now operational, allowing trains to run at approved speeds. This announcement followed a special inspection of the Lahore-Okara section led by Divisional Superintendent (DS) Railways Muhammad Hanif Gul on September 7.

Enhanced monitoring by the Railway Lahore Division and the dedicated efforts of railway workers have contributed to overcoming the technical challenges in the area. The restoration of these key infrastructure points is a significant step toward mitigating the disruptions caused by recent terrorist activities and ensuring safe and efficient train travel across the affected regions.