Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle
 Haranpur Railway Junction on the route of the Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Shuttle |
| Current operator(s) | Pakistan Railways |
| Route | |
| Termini | Pind Dadan Khan Malakwal Junction |
| Stops | 1 |
| Distance travelled | 19 kilometres (12 mi) |
| Average journey time | 35 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 1UP (Pind Dadan Khan→Malakwal Junction) 2DN (Malakwal Junction→Pind Dadan Khan) |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | Economy |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Track owner(s) | Pakistan Railways |
Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle (Urdu: پنڈ دادن خان شٹل) is a shuttle service operated by Pakistan Railways between Malakwal Junction and Pind Dadan Khan. The journey covers a distance of 19 kilometres (12 mi) along the Malakwal-Khushab Branch Line and takes approximately 35 minutes. This service connects Mandi Bahauddin District of Gujrat Division with Jhelum District of Rawalpindi Division.[1][2][3]
Importance of the rail link[edit]
The rail link between Malakwal and Pind Dadan Khan holds significance due to the absence of a parallel road connection between the two cities. The only existing route via Rasul is significantly longer than the rail distance, making the train service the preferred option for locals traveling between the two destinations.
Victoria bridge[edit]
The train route from Malakwal to Pind Dadan Khan passes through Victoria Bridge, located in Haranpur over the Jhelum River. Constructed in 1887 by the British engineer William St. John Galwey, the bridge comprises iron trusses supported by concrete piers. It spans a length of 2.6 miles (4.225 km) and stands as one of the longest railway bridges in Pakistan. Although intended for railway use, it has become a perilous passage for motorcyclists, posing risks. The bridge, rebuilt in 1939 due to sustainability issues for rail traffic, offers passengers a scenic view of the Salt Range and is situated approximately 35 km from the Lilla Interchange on the M-2.[4][5][6]
Closure due to COVID-19 pandemic[edit]
The train service remained inactive for nearly three years, from 2020 to 2022, due to the lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan.[7]
Temporary shutdown in 2023[edit]
In 2023, two of the three daily trips of the train, the morning and evening services, were suspended, leaving only the 11:00 AM service operational. As of 1 July 2023, the train is operating with two trips, namely 3UP, 4UP (at 8:20 AM), 5UP, and 6UP (at 3:30 PM).[8]
Route and station stops[edit]
Route: Malakwal Junction–Pind Dadan Khan via the Malakwal-Khushab Branch Line
Station Stops:
Equipment[edit]
The Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle Train only offers economy class seating as it is a shuttle service.
References[edit]
- ^ Desk, Web (16 December 2022). "PR restores two more passenger trains". ARY NEWS.
- ^ "Fareed express to be back on track on Dec 22, says Saad Rafique". The Nation. 15 December 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan Railways Resumes Malkwal-Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle Train". UrduPoint.
- ^ Newspaper, the (16 March 2014). "Thwarted dream of road over River Jhelum". DAWN.COM.
- ^ Rashid, Salman (11 February 2018). "HERITAGE: ONCE UPON A LINE". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Victoria railway bridge reopens". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Two years on, railway track still dysfunctional". The Express Tribune. 5 December 2022.
- ^ Correspondent, A. (28 March 2023). "Malakwal-Pind Dadan Khan shuttle train shut down". DAWN.COM.