ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi conducted a comprehensive on-site inspection of a collapsed bridge and the surrounding damaged railway track infrastructure near Missan Kalar. During the visit, the minister traversed the affected section via a railway trolley to personally evaluate the extent of the structural failures and the current state of the tracks.

Detailed Briefing and Restoration Directives

Upon arrival, the Federal Minister received an exhaustive technical briefing regarding the damages incurred by the bridge, the present status of the rail corridor, and the proposed strategic measures for restoration. Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi instructed the relevant authorities to finalize and submit a comprehensive feasibility report for the bridge’s rehabilitation within a 20-day timeframe. This report is required to encompass all essential technical parameters and construction specifications necessary for a robust recovery.

Commitment to Operational Safety and Efficiency

The minister confirmed that, following the approval of the feasibility study, the reconstruction of the bridge and the full restoration of the railway tracks would be executed by the specialized engineering wing of Pakistan Railways. He underscored the necessity of completing the work expeditiously, while strictly adhering to international safety standards and technical protocols. Reflecting on the broader strategy of the State Bank of Pakistan Maintains Benchmark Interest Rate Amid Stability initiatives, the minister reiterated that fiscal discipline must be mirrored in infrastructure projects.

Addressing the departmental staff, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi stated that every railway officer and employee is obligated to perform their duties with diligence to facilitate the swift resumption of train operations. He further remarked that passenger convenience and the ensurement of safe, reliable train movement remain the government’s top priorities for the national rail network.

Accompanying Officials

The inspection was attended by several high-ranking officials, including CEO Railways Muhammad Hafizullah, AGM Infrastructure Hammad Hassan Mirza, and the Divisional Superintendent Lahore, along with other senior railway personnel tasked with overseeing the restoration project.