Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle

Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle
Haranpur Railway Junction on the route of the Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle
Overview
Service typeShuttle
Current operator(s)Pakistan Railways
Route
TerminiPind Dadan Khan
Malakwal Junction
Stops1
Distance travelled20 kilometres (12 mi)
Average journey time35 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)1UP (Pind Dadan Khan→Malakwal Junction)
2DN (Malakwal Junction→Pind Dadan Khan)
On-board services
Class(es)Economy
Technical
Track gauge1,676 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 20 kilometres (12 mi) along the Malakwal-Khushab Branch Line and takes approximately 35 minutes.[1][2][3]

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

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

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

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

Malakwal Junction–Pind Dadan Khan via the Malakwal-Khushab Branch Line

Station Stops

Equipment

The Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle Train only offers economy class seating as it is a shuttle service.

References

  1. ^ Desk, Web (16 December 2022). "PR restores two more passenger trains". ARY NEWS. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "Fareed express to be back on track on Dec 22, says Saad Rafique". The Nation. 15 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Pakistan Railways Resumes Malkwal-Pind Dadan Khan Shuttle Train". UrduPoint.
  4. ^ Newspaper, the (16 March 2014). "Thwarted dream of road over River Jhelum". DAWN.COM.
  5. ^ Rashid, Salman (11 February 2018). "HERITAGE: ONCE UPON A LINE". DAWN.COM.
  6. ^ "Victoria railway bridge reopens". www.thenews.com.pk.
  7. ^ "Two years on, railway track still dysfunctional". The Express Tribune. 5 December 2022.
  8. ^ Correspondent, A. (28 March 2023). "Malakwal-Pind Dadan Khan shuttle train shut down". DAWN.COM. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)