QUETTA: Balochistan’s first Jinnah People’s Train service was launched in Quetta on Friday, connecting Kachlak with Sariab through a 32-kilometre upgraded railway track.

Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti jointly inaugurated the service at Quetta Railway Station.

According to officials, the track’s upgradation was completed within 120 days at a cost of approximately Rs3 billion.

The train will operate daily between Kachlak and Sariab, stopping at seven stations along the route: Kachlak, Bileli, Sheikh Manda, GOR Halt, Quetta, Lor Kariz Halt and Sariab.

The project also involved the construction, renovation and upgradation of railway stations to improve facilities for passengers.

New turntables were installed at Kachlak and Sariab stations, while improvement work was carried out at Sheikh Manda Station. Bileli Station was reconstructed and upgraded, while GOR Halt was rebuilt with solar power, electricity facilities and new passenger seating.

Development work was also completed at Quetta and Lor Kariz stations.

The coaches for the Jinnah People’s Train were manufactured at Pakistan Railways’ Carriage Factory in Islamabad over a period of four months.

Officials said the service would provide safe, comfortable and affordable transport for students, employees, businesspeople, women, children, labourers and other citizens travelling between Quetta and surrounding areas.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the provincial government was considering expanding the service in the future.

He said efforts would be made to extend the route from Kachlak towards the Bostan Industrial Zone and Mastung, while increasing the number of trains operating on the route.

The provincial government said the service would provide an alternative means of daily transport for residents travelling between Quetta and its suburbs, helping reduce travel difficulties, time and costs.

The launch marks a new development in public transport connectivity for Quetta and surrounding areas, with the government aiming to improve access to affordable railway travel across the provincial capital and its outskirts.