DADU: A prolonged suspension of train operations on the Dadu line has brought passenger transit across the region to a complete standstill, cutting off critical rail connectivity for the local population and paralysing rail transport across this part of the province.

The railway authorities have decided not to restore the 213-Up/214-Down Mohenjo Daro Passenger Express, which operated between Kotri and Larkana.

The Jamshoro Railway Administration of the Karachi Division has officially closed the Kotri–Dadu–Larkana railway section, leaving passengers in upper Sindh without any rail service on the route.

The train was suspended on March 15, 2026, and railway officials have now confirmed their decision not to resume its operations.

According to official figures, the Mohenjo Daro Express generated Rs70.584 million in revenue while its annual fuel expenditure reached Rs231 million, resulting in a total financial loss of approximately Rs160.416 million. Railway officials stated that the figures clearly indicate the service was financially unsustainable.

The officials also cited widespread ticketless travel as a major factor affecting railway revenue and contributing to the losses.

The decision was formally communicated by Assistant Commercial Manager (ACM) Manzoor Ahmed to the chief operating superintendent at the Railway Headquarters through a written report.

The Kotri–Larkana railway section already has no operational passenger train services. The Khushhal Khan Khattak Express, which operated from Karachi to Peshawar via Kotri and Larkana, and the Bolan Mail Express, which ran from Karachi to Quetta via Kotri, Dadu and Larkana, had already been suspended.

As a result, passengers travelling between Kotri, Sehwan, Dadu and Larkana currently have no railway service available. They have to rely entirely on road transport now.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026