The Times of India
India, Pakistan to start cross-border train [ Friday, January 06, 2006 08:52:01 pm IANS ]
NEW DELHI: History will be made when a trans-border train service starts between the Indian town of Munabao in Rajasthan and Khokhrapar in Pakistan's Sindh province from Feb 1.
Traffic on this route was suspended on the same day 41 years ago due to a war, and the new passenger train will be called the Thar Express.
"The two delegations have also agreed to commence the train operations on this route from Feb 1," said a joint statement issued at the end of two-day talks between railway officials of the two countries.
Both sides discussed a draft agreement on modalities for running the train. An Indian delegation will visit Pakistan before the end of January for inking an agreement on the service.
During the talks held in "cordial and constructive atmosphere," the Indian side was led by Ashok Gupta, adviser for traffic in the railway ministry, and the Pakistani delegation was led by Saleem-ur-Rahman Akhoond, general manager of Pakistan Railways.
The rake for the service will be provided alternately by the railways of India and Pakistan on a six-monthly basis. For the first six months, the Pakistan train will cross into India to Munabao.
The Indian train will then cross into Pakistan to Zero Point railway station near Khokhrapar for the next six months. This process will be repeated alternately. Most of the 12-km track to Khokhrapar has already been laid.
The railway station at Munabao - the last station on India's western border - is being given finishing touches to give it the appearance of an international airport, complete with customs and immigration counters and duty-free gift shops.
About 20 customs and 28 immigration counters and a counter for money changing are being set up at the station, which has been renovated at a cost of over $4 million. Passengers arriving from Pakistan will have to undergo checks and proceed to Jodhpur.