Tri-nation train receives warm reception in Turkey

[LahoreEstate]

Tuesday, September 01, 2009
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The freight train, which started its 6,506-kilometre historic journey under the banner of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) to Istanbul from Islamabad via Tehran, completed its journey within 15 days on August 28.

A senior official at the Ministry of Railways told The News that the train reached Istanbul on the evening of August 28 and was given a warm reception there next day. Besides others, he pointed out, Turkish transport and communication minister also participated in the reception.

The train had reached Tehran on August 23 and it took four and a half day to enter the suburbs of the Turkish capital. It was estimated the good train would take 15 days to reach its destination, but it took 14 and a half-day instead.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had formally launched the train journey on the Independence Day of Pakistan (August 14).In reply to a question, the official maintained it would take even lesser days after the train speed would be increased as the track between Kirman and Zahidan was newly-constructed and speed could not exceed from 25 to 30 kilometre per hour.

Similarly, he said after the improvement of the dilapidated track from Quetta to the Iranian border, Tuftan, the train speed would also be significantly increased. The freight train carried rice and some textile and chemical related products from Islamabad and containers, carrying rice were unloaded at Tehran, whereas the destination of other items was Istanbul. It consisted of as many as 20 containers: 14 were for Tehran and six for Istanbul.

Pakistan Railways Chief Commercial Manager Jam Bashir, who had accompanied the train, is also back and is expected to report to the ministry shortly about his unique experience.

Four experts accompanied the train: one each from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and ECO Secretariat; now on the completion of the journey, they were to report their observations, keeping in view technical and transport-related matters.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=196059