LAHORE: Pakistan Railways (PR) has banned engine drivers and assistants from using smartphones while on the journey.

According to senior officials, PR’s top administration has asked the divisional superintendents (DSs) of Lahore, Karachi, Sukkur, Multan, Quetta, Rawalpindi and Peshawar divisions in writing with a direction to ensure implementation of the orders related to ban’s imposition immediately.

The official says the reason behind the ban is to keep crew members vigilant and focused on duty and to avert accidents and unpleasant incidents.

“We have banned engine drivers and their assistants from making selfies, video and audio/visual messages with smartphones in all trains (both passenger and goods) during journey. We have also directed all DSs and others concerned regarding the new directions. And if anyone is found flouting the order, they must be ready for a disciplinary action,” PR Chief Executive Officer Nisar Memon told Dawn on Tuesday.

The PR has been facing operational safety issues for the last couple of years. Due to the dilapidated rail track (main and branch lines), faulty signaling system, outlived passenger and freight coaches/rolling stock and other infrastructure, a number of accidents took place. In 2019, over 100 accidents occurred, including the horrible Tezgam fire tragedy in October.

“During inquiries, it emerged that some accidents happened due to the negligence of the driver/assistant drivers who probably didn’t see the red signals or failed to reduce speed as they were using mobile phones or they couldn’t concentrate to their jobs while talking unnecessarily with each other making or taking tea,” the CEO explained.

“So, we were left with no other option but to ban all such activities by the crew members during the journey,” he added.

Mr Memon, however, said the drivers/assistants can take tea during the journey, which they can buy from vendors at stations, he said.

The CEO said the new railways minister, Azam Khan Swati, would visit the PR’s headquarters (Lahore) on Saturday. During the visit, the authorities would give a detailed briefing on various operational, administrative and functional affairs of the department.

Also, the Lahore division has closed down 56 of the 75 unmanned level crossings in various districts.

“We have also sealed 67 unauthorized shops along the rail track in Gulberg/Cantt areas. Similarly, 162 unauthorized shops at Renala Khurd (Okara) have been sealed. Moreover, 14 shops at Cooperative Store along GT Road (Lahore) have also been sealed recently,” Lahore DS Amir Nisar Chaudhry told Dawn.

He said residential encroachments on railway land near Walton and at Kala Khatai, near Shahdara were removed during last week.

LESCO: Various teams of the Lahore Electric Supply Company on Tuesday detected power theft at various places and charged over 27,000 units to nine electricity thieves, according to a spokesman.

Moreover the city administration on Tuesday sealed 15 shops in various parts for flouting Covid-19 SOPs.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2020