KARACHI Railway traffic was restored on the Karachi-Hyderabad railway line several hours after two trains collided on Thursday aftenoon near Kotri, derailed and blocked the tracks.

The track below was cleared for train movement at 0500 a.m. and the track above at 0800 a.m. after being repaired.

The Divisional Superintendent Railways, Aftab Memon, who was supervising the relief operation at the site of the accident the entire night, told APP that the General Manager of Railways has directed a Deputy Principle Officer for an inquiry into the accident.

The inquiry team will comprise Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer, Deputy Chief Operationa and Deputy Chief Civil Engineering.

Meanwhile, on the orders of Chairman Railways, Sammiul Huq Khilji, stranded passengers were served with Sehri at Karachi City, Cantonment, Landhi, Hyderabad and Tandoadam railway stations.

DS Railway Aftab Memon said that passengers who wanted to proceed to their respective destinations through other modes of transport were offered a full refund of tickets money.

Earlier, on Thursday afternoon, railway authorities in the city did not allow the Bolan Mail to leave the City station, while the Tezgam and Karachi Express were restrained at the Cantonment station. The Korakoram Express was stopped at the Drigh Road station and Allama Iqbal Express at the Landhi station. Similarly, two trains coming to Karachi from upcountry were stopped at Hyderabad. -APP