New Delhi, December 19
The Samjhauta Express, symbol of India-Pakistan people-to-people contacts, will start rolling between the two countries from January 15, 2004, “as per the earlier time-table”.
This announcement was made at the end of two-day technical-level talks between the two countries today. The two sides agreed for expanding the existing “agreement relating to rail communications between India and Pakistan-2001” for a further period of three years till January 20, 2007.
Though the 2001 agreement was valid till January 20, 2004, India had unilaterally cancelled the rail service in the wake of the December 13, 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament House.
According to a brief joint press statement issued at the conclusion of the talks, the two sides agreed to improve the quality of the rail service and also to meet regularly in future. The fare structure will be announced shortly.
Each of the two sides had nominated four members for the technical-level talks. While the Pakistani delegation was led by Mr Muhammad Iqbal Khatri, Additional General Manager, Passenger
Operations, Pakistan Railways, the Indian delegation was headed by Mr S.B. Ghosh Dastidar, Additional Member (Traffic), Indian Railways.
This is another step towards improving people-to-people contacts and enhancing trade ties between India and Pakistan. The Samjhauta Express from Attari to Lahore will chug off twice a week as also freight services from January 15, after a gap of two years.
An Indian team of officials will visit Pakistan to work out the modalities relating to the fare structure, number and type of coaches as also the feasibility of extending the service to Delhi.
The fares that existed before the service was suspended would be applicable till the new fare structure was worked out, both Mr Dastidar and Mr Khatri said at a joint press conference at Rail Bhavan.
The decision comes close on the heels of the two sides agreeing to re-start air links from the new year ahead of the SAARC summit in Islamabad from January 4 to 6.
Describing the talks as “constructive and operative”, Mr Khatri said, “We were looked after well here. I hope that the Indian delegation will visit Pakistan for further discussions. They await a warm welcome in Pakistan”.
While the Pakistani side was eager to resume the Samjhauta Express from January 1, the Indian side contended that some more time would be required to work out modalities as also the security aspect. The two sides then agreed on January 15, sources said.
“Full preparations have to be made,” Mr Dastidar said when asked why January 15 was decided instead of the date suggested by Pakistan. “We have to tie up all the details of the operations,” he said.
“For improving the quality of the service, both Railways agreed to meet regularly in future,” the joint statement said.
Freight and passenger train services between India and Pakistan were resumed under a bilateral agreement in June, 1976 for a period of three years, which was extended from time to time.
The agreement was reviewed in July, 1991 and a fresh accord relating to rail communication was executed for a three-year period.
— PTI
