Faulty fans on Attock-Jand trains cause hardship for passengers

TAXILA: Passengers travelling on the Thall Express and the Mari Indus Railcar between Attock and Jand have complained of intense discomfort because fans in several coaches are not working, leaving compartments hot and poorly ventilated during daytime journeys.

Commuters said temperatures rise sharply inside the coaches, making travel difficult in overcrowded compartments. They said women, children and elderly passengers were among those most affected on the route.

Shazia Bibi, who was travelling on the Mari Indus Railcar, described the conditions as unbearable for regular passengers between Jand and Attock. “We travel regularly between Jand and Attock, but the conditions have become unbearable,” said Shazia Bibi, a passenger travelling on the Mari Indus Railcar. “The fans are not working and there is hardly any airflow inside the coach. Women travelling with children face particular difficulties in this extreme heat.”

Farzana Kosar, a passenger on the Thall Express, said travellers were being made to complete the journey without basic comfort despite paying full fare. “Passengers pay the full fare and expect at least basic facilities. The heat inside the coach is suffocating, especially for elderly people and children. We are forced to complete the journey under very uncomfortable conditions,” she said.

Rubina Yasmeen, a schoolteacher, also raised concern about the impact on older passengers who rely on these trains because they are affordable. “Many senior citizens use these trains because they are affordable. Some passengers feel dizzy due to the heat, but there is no proper ventilation. The authorities should resolve the issue without delay,” she said.

Regular commuters, including students and employees of government and private institutions, said both train services carry a large number of daily passengers. They said that despite the heavy load, essential onboard facilities had not been maintained properly.

Local residents and passengers questioned why basic amenities such as working fans were not being ensured even though regular fares were being charged.

A railway official, when contacted, acknowledged the complaints and said the department was aware of the matter. “Pakistan Railways is facing financial and operational challenges, but passenger comfort remains a priority. Technical teams have been directed to inspect the affected coaches, and repairs will be carried out wherever required,” the official said.

The official added that maintenance on ageing rolling stock often depends on the availability of spare parts and workshop schedules, but said efforts were under way to improve onboard facilities.