Post COVID-19, Pakistan restores rail link to Sindh’s town near India border

Karachi: Pakistan Railways has restored the service of Marvi Express to connect Mirpurkhas city in Sindh with Khokhrapar Railway Station in the province that is situated near the Pakistan-India border.

The rail link with the border town in Sindh has been restored in view of the repeated demands of the people of desert area of Thar. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Sindh Affairs, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, re-launched the Marvi Express service at the Mirpurkhas Railway Station.

The service of the Marvi Express was suspended on March 24, 2020 when a complete lockdown was imposed in Sindh against the spread of coronavirus infection.

The Marvi Express train was especially decorated while rose petals were showered on its passengers and sweets were distributed on the occasion of revival of the passenger rail service.

The Marvi Express was originally launched in 2005 jointly by the then railways minister and Dr Rahim, who was Sindh chief minister at that time. Earlier, the passenger rail service was used between Hyderabad and Khokhrapar.

The Marvi Express after its revival contains five economy class carriages that have the capacity to carry 500 passengers. The one-way journey from Mirpurkhas to Khokhrapar will cost Rs160.

Some 17 passenger stations will come on the 125km-long railway track. The Marvi Express will start its journey from Mirpurkhas Station at 5pm and will reach Khokhrapar at 8.40pm. The return journey of the train from Khokhrapar will begin at 6am and the train will end its journey at 9.40 am.

The railway link to the border town has been vital for the supply of essential goods and services to the people of Thar, including water, due to absence of road network in the underdeveloped desert regions of Sindh.