Habib Kot

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Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

Splendour in simplicity

Text and photographs by Naseem Mughal

Dawn

Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

Situated at a distance of 33 kilometres north of Sukkur is Habib Kot. This small village comes under Taluka Lakhi of Shikarpur in upper Sindh and lies five kilometres south of Shikarpur railway station. The River Indus flows east of the village.

Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

The railway station of Habib Kot was built and commissioned in 1946, a year before the independence of Pakistan. It serves as an important junction as it links passenger as well as cargo trains, coming and going to Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Kotri etc.

Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

The station building and the adjoining structures speak volumes of the architectural simplicity of the past. The building is constructed with burnt red bricks and is built in symmetrical arrangements. The main building has a ground floor and an upper storey.

Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

Habib Kot, Taluka Lakhi, Shikarpur, Sindh

The structure has 31 geometrical arches in a row on the front and the backside. This open area allows sufficient amount of airflow which keeps the building cool during the sweltering summer heat when temperatures rise up to 45°C.

Despite its rural location, the station is well equipped technically. It has a revolving track platform to facilitate the change of the direction of trains. The waiting rooms are also comfortably furnished with original teak wood furniture. The station is surrounded by lush green fields, which give a unique picturesque charm to the area. Passengers enjoy the scenic splendour while passing through the station.

Although the station is adequately maintained, there is still room for improvement. Some parts of the platform are in a dilapidated state and require immediate repairs. Due to scarcity of water, taps remain dry and the water cooler on the platform is nonfunctional. The unavailability of water in this area which lies near the River Indus, reminds one of Coleridge’s famous lines, “Water water everywhere not a single drop to drink.”

The tea stall on the platform does not have a shade. It would be an encouraging step if the concerned authorities provided necessary facilities to this station as early as possible for the benefit and comfort of the passengers as well as the staff. Efforts should also be made to preserve the station which has historical significance.