PESHAWAR: The colonial era railway track between Peshawar and Landi Kotal in Khyber tribal district, which has been ruined by weather vagaries and stark official negligence, needs over Rs1 billion for its rehabilitation.

Pakistan Railways has conducted survey of the 52-kilometre-long line that passes through rocky mountains including 34 tunnels and ends at a plateau near the Afghan border in Landi Kotal.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department has recently discussed the plan with Pakistan Railways to revive the vintage Khyber Steam Safari between Peshawar and Landi Kotal to promote tourism.

CAA official terms running train service through airport risky

The safari train was stopped on account of security when insurgency engulfed the entire tribal region.

Following suspension of the train service, Pakistan Railways virtually abandoned maintenance of the track and its properties.

Devastating flash floods on one hand and encroachment on the other hand caused widespread damage to the railway line that was constructed in early 20th century.

Under the proposed plan, the track after rehabilitation would be used for freight service and tourism. Paperwork has been completed in this regard. “It has not been decided as to who would bear the cost of rehabilitation work; Pakistan Railways or the provincial government,” said officials.

An official told Dawn that a feasibility study recommended full upgradation and rehabilitation of the track and its allied facilities. He said that estimated cost of the renewal of the track, bridges, two stations and construction of retaining walls was Rs1.13 billion.

Under the proposed plan, vintage steam safari engine would be replaced with diesel-run locomotive because steam/smoke generating classic engine is not suitable for this track because of steep terrain and sharp turns. The official said that engineers would modify diesel-run locomotives for Peshawar-Landi Kotal line to generate steam for excitement of visitors.

“The track requires complete replacement while upgradation of stations in Jamrud and Landi Kotal has been included in the feasibility report,” said the official.

He said that flash floods had washed away the track at several points. He added that the track was unfit for train service in the present condition.

The government departments and people have encroached upon the railway properties which also caused heavy losses to the track.

Vendors have established cabins on the track in the Peshawar Cantonment limits.

The Peshawar Development Authority has permanently covered two railway crossing points with asphalt in Hayatabad.

The unique feature of Peshawar-Landi Kotal track is that it passes through the runway of Bacha Khan International Airport. Officials said that security installations including airbase could become major impediments in resuming the safari train. Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan Air Force use the runway, simultaneously.

After abandoning safari train to Landi Kotal, a portion of the railway line passing through the runway was permanently carpeted. An official in the CAA told Dawn that running train service through the airport would be very risky. Over one kilometre portion of the track passes through defence installations including PAF airbase.

“It will be very, very risky to run the train through sensitive installations,” said the official.

He said that CAA would not oppose it, but the government might not convince other institutions on it. He added that CAA required only schedule from Pakistan Railways before running the engines.

Provincial Minister for Tourism Mohammad Atif Khan recently told Dawn that the department was in contact with the stakeholders including Pakistan Railways, army and Frontier Corps for resumption of the historic train service.

He said that Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid had ordered Pakistan Railways to make operational four steam locomotives on no-loss no-profit basis.

The CAA official said that tourism department had yet to discuss track rehabilitation plan with the authority. The Pakistan Railways official said that in case the defence ministry denied permission to use the portion of the track running through the airport premises, another track would be laid to bypass the airport premises.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2019