Green Line to restore operations with new Chinese coaches

Green line train will restore its operations by the end of this month with new Chinese coaches. One of the fastest trains of Pakistan Railways the Green Line will run daily from Karachi to Islamabad via Lahore.

A senior official from the Ministry of Railways told Gwadar Pro that in the wake of the 2022 Pakistan floods, the train’s operations were suspended. Now with the floodwater receding and rehabilitation of affected train tracks being completed, Pakistan Railway has announced to resume the Green Line operations in December 2022.

He said that the new Green Line is attached with two coaches of AC Parlour, five AC Business, and six AC Standard whereas four to five economy class coaches. The coaches are supposed to make travel more comfortable and safer while helping Pakistan Railways improve its services.

“The newly restored trains will also reduce travel time between Lahore and Karachi to facilitate people. It was decided that the best-traveling facilities, including quality meals, would be provided in the train, with a separate LCD installed along each seat of the AC Parlour compartment,” the official added.

Under a $140m contract, the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRRC) Tangshan Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company would supply 230 high-speed coaches to Pakistan.

Out of them, these are only the first 46.

The remaining 184 coaches will be manufactured in Pakistan by Pakistan Railway engineers and technical staff under the supervision of Chinese experts.

Under another similar nature contract, a Chinese firm is supposed to manufacture 800 freight wagons and 20 brake wagons (a total of 820). Of these 820 wagons, 200 will be provided to Pakistan Railways while the rest would be manufactured in Pakistan.

The Chinese coaches for Green Line are painted in Pakistan Railway’s traditional green color from the outside. The interior of the various coaches has air-conditioning and heating systems. Some coaches are meant for the economy class and some others for parlour with nice comfortable seats.

Besides luggage cars, there is extra space within the coaches in the shape of racks for hand-carry luggage. Dining cars and more kitchens and kitchenettes are available in the coaches, too.