How Railways Can Earn Without Running Trains
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How Railways Can Earn Without Running Trains!
At present, Bhera Railway Station is in a deplorable condition, giving a deserted look – slowly fading away – though it has plenty of land.
Ishfaq Khattak Sahib, I agree with you that it is not feasible for Railways to run trains, but at least the existing railway station should be converted into the Bhera Railway Heritage Museum, like the Golra Railway Heritage Museum, Islamabad and Attock Khurd. Maybe at the lower level.
Railways do not have to spend much. Rather, without running trains, they can earn. The station’s legacy must be safeguarded for future generations.
On the motorway, it takes approximately two hours and fifteen minutes to reach Bhera from either Lahore or Islamabad. From the interchange, Bhera is just four kilometres. People frequently visit the Sher Shah Suri Jama Mosque ( 1541 AD), Bhera. A small railway museum will be an added attraction for tourists/visitors. For tourists, the other places of interest in Bhera are: old darwazas, Darbar Hazrat Miran Shah Sahib (circa Hijri 1092, 1681 AD), old havelis, narrow and intricate lanes like those in the Walled City of Lahore, mosques, temples, gurdwaras, and the banks of the River Jhelum.
A few suggestions for establishing Bhera Railway Heritage are as under:
1 . Junk railway items maybe procured from nearby Malakwal and Lala Musa railway stations or any other stations, subject to availability. A few old steam engines, coaches, and related equipment can be of great attraction for the tourists visiting Bhera.
2 . The existing railway station building maybe rented out or leased to any deserving retired railway person for making a small tuck shop and a few souvenir shops. Maybe later converted into a food street.
3 . Recreational park, having a jogging track, swings for children. benches, tables, garbage bins, etc.
4 . A joy train ride for the children, even for a distance of a few kilometres.
5 . Landscaping of the area, plantation of quality trees and plants, with consultation with the Horticulture Department. A portion of land maybe be rented out / leased to some interested retired railway person for establishing a nursery. It will ensure extensive tree plantation.
6 . Construction of reasonable bathrooms and their maintenance.
7 . For maintenance of the Railway Heritage Museum, authorities may charge an entrance ticket of a small amount, equivalent to the platform ticket. More visitors to Bhera will economically benefit the locals: at least they may buy the specialities of Bhera, like Phanian, Warrian, Mathi, Mehndi, Patisa.
I hope my suggestions will be considered by the concerned railway authorities.
Please see pictures and write – ups on the fascinating history of the terminus Bhera Railway Station ( circa 1881 ) on the website, bhera.org.
Lt Col Zahid Mumtaz ( Rted ) . From Bhera. Mob: 0317 5404161
