M A I N   N E W S

PMO discusses 4-laning of Attari-Wagah road
Tribune New Service

New Delhi, April 28
The government has decided to seek approval of the Cabinet for the four-laning of the road from Attari to Wagah.

At a meeting held in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today to expedite action relating to the improvement of the infrastructure at Attari railway station and Wagah international border, it was decided that attempts would be made to reduce the waiting time at Attari.

An official spokesman said the Trade and Economic Relations Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had approved several initiatives for improving trade with Pakistan.

He said the Prime Minister had announced various initiatives during his visit to Amritsar on March 24 to upgrade the infrastructure at Attari and Wagah as the present facilities were inadequate even to meet the existing requirements.

At the meeting, attended among others by the Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Punjab Chief Secretary, it was noted that security fencing, construction of road along the railway track, and from Attari to the international border were being implemented. The arrival and departure timings of trains at Attari have been revised in order to bring down waiting time.

Punjab assured that the land acquisition required for widening of the road and development of off-port facilities in the hinterland would be taken up on a war footing by the state government and widening of road leading to Attari Railway station completed by June 30. 

Lahore-Amritsar train to go up to Delhi

Islamabad, April 28
Pakistan and India are planning to extend the Lahore-Amritsar train service to Delhi to meet the increased demand for trade and passengers traffic, a Pakistani newspaper said today.

Daily Times quoted an unnamed government official as saying that an amendment would be made to the existing Pak-India Rail Agreement on the Lahore-Wagah-Attari route to allow the extended rail service.

The Ministries of Defence and Commerce had approved the proposed rail service. Both countries had agreed to run the train between Lahore and Delhi and set up immigration and customs clearance facilities at Wagah and Attari railway stations, he said.

The express train will have three classes — air-conditioned, first class and second class — with a provision to attach railway saloons or dining cars, instead of the current provision of first and second classes. Passengers will be allowed to disembark at stations between Lahore and Delhi if they possess a valid visa for the city concerned.

According to the official, the maintenance facilities would be shifted to Delhi from Amritsar. At present, second and economy class passengers are allowed to take 35 kg of luggage and first class passengers can carry 50 kg. The authorities have proposed to increase this allowance.

He said the fare for special stocks would be decided in view of new commodities and increased traffic. Both countries were in a process of getting the proposal cleared from the government departments concerned, he added.

The issue was discussed during the third round of the Pak-India Composite Dialogue in Islamabad from March 28 to 30. — UNI