Drigh Road railway station is one of Karachi’s oldest and busiest railway stations. It is located near the Jinnah International Airport and the Drigh Road Flyover on Sharah-e-Faisal Road the city’s main artery. The station serves as a stop for many trains that connect Karachi with other cities of Pakistan, such as Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, Quetta, and Sialkot. The station also used to be a junction on the Karachi Circular Railway, a commuter rail system that operated from 1969 to 1999.
In this blog, Graana.com provides a comprehensive guide to the popular and historic Drigh Road Railway station of Karachi.
An Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Drigh Road Railway Station |
| Location | Karachi, Pakistan |
| Owned by | Ministry of Railways |
| Line(s) | Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line, Karachi Circular Railway |
| Station Code | DID |
| Platforms | 4 |
| Tracks | 6 |
| Platform levels | 1 |
| Services | Pakistan Railways |
| Nearby Landmarks | Jinnah International Airport |
| Facilities | Booking office, train shed, tuck shop, mosque, advance reservation office, parking lot |
| Notable Trains | Allama Iqbal Express, Hazara Express, Sukkur Express |
History of Drigh Road Railway Station
The history of the Drigh Road railway station dates back to the British colonial era when Karachi was a major port and trade hub of South Asia. The station was built in 1896 as part of the North-Western State Railway, which linked Karachi with Peshawar. It is situated near located near the Jinnah International Airport and flyover on Sharah-e-Faisal.
The station was named after Colonel H.D. Drigh, a British engineer who supervised the construction of the railway line. The station was designed in a Victorian style, with red brick walls, arched windows, and a clock tower. The station also had a train shed, a booking office, a tuck shop, and a mosque.
Additionally, the station witnessed many historical events and changes over the years. In 1947, when Pakistan gained independence from British rule, the station became part of the newly formed Pakistan Railways. In 1969, the station became a junction on the Karachi Circular Railway, which provided fast and cheap transportation for the residents of Karachi.
Moreover, the station also saw the arrival and departure of many famous personalities, such as Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, who used to travel by train from Karachi to Lahore and vice versa.
Significance of Drigh Road Railway Station
Today, Drigh Road railway station is an important and busy railway station in Karachi. It operates 36 trains to different cities in Pakistan, including express trains such as Allama Iqbal Express, Hazara Express, Awam Express, Sukkur Express, Mehran Express, Karachi Express, Millat Express, Shalimar Express, Bolan Mail, Karakoram Express and Green Line.
The station has four platforms and six tracks. It also has a reservation office, a parking lot, and a waiting area for passengers. The station is well-connected by road and public transport with other parts of the city.
Drigh Road railway station is not only a railway station but also a landmark and a heritage site of Karachi. It reflects the history and culture of the city and its people. It is a place where people from different backgrounds and regions come together and travel across Pakistan – showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of Karachi.
Pakistan Railways Timetable
The station serves many express and passenger trains, providing convenient access to major destinations throughout Pakistan. The latest Pakistan Railways timetable lists the following trains running from Drigh Road Railway Station:
- Allama Iqbal Express
- Awam Express
- Bahauddin Zakaria Express
- Fareed Express
- Green Line Express
- Karachi Express
- Karakoram Express
- Khyber Mail
- Rehman Baba Express
- Sindh Express
- Shalimar Express
- Sir Syed Express
- Millat Express
- Hazara Express
- Sukkur Express
- Tezgam Express
These trains offer passengers a variety of options to travel to different parts of the country.
Train Time Schedule
The Pakistan Railways timetable for Drigh Road Railway Station provides a comprehensive schedule of train timings for each train serving the station.
Here’s a detailed timetable for the trains running from Drigh Road Railway Station in 2024:
| Train Name | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| Allama Iqbal Express | 6:00 am | 9:45 pm |
| Awam Express | 8:00 am | 11:55 pm |
| Bahauddin Zakaria Express | 3:00 pm | 9:10 pm |
| Fareed Express | 2:30 pm | 10:25 pm |
| Green Line Express | 5:30 pm | 10:15 am (next day) |
| Karachi Express | 10:30 am | 2:45 pm |
| Karakoram Express | 8:50 am | 4:55 pm |
| Khyber Mail | 9:00 pm | 6:20 am (next day) |
| Rehman Baba Express | 11:00 am | 6:45 pm |
| Sindh Express | 4:00 pm | 11:45 pm |
| Shalimar Express | 6:00 am | 12:55 pm |
| Sir Syed Express | 6:30 pm | 9:15 am (next day) |
| Millat Express | 2:00 pm | 9:35 pm |
| Hazara Express | 7:20 am | 5:00 pm |
| Sukkur Express | 9:30 am | 5:45 pm |
| Tezgam Express | 5:00 am | 9:50 pm |
Drigh Road Railway Station is a vital hub of Pakistan Railways, connecting Karachi with other major cities of Pakistan. The station provides passengers with a convenient and cost-effective means of travel, with a range of express and passenger trains serving the station.
The Pakistan Railways timetable for Drigh Road Railway Station provides accurate and up-to-date information on train timings, enabling passengers to plan their journeys effectively.
As Pakistan’s economy and infrastructure continue to develop, Drigh Road Railway Station will become increasingly important in facilitating travel and transportation across the country.
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