The Hindu Business Line : 2nd Indo-Pak passenger rail service to start next month

Initially, the train will run on a weekly basis and offer passenger services only. The frequency may be increased later depending on demand. There would not be any freight transportation services now on the route, but it cannot be ruled out later. The ticket pricing would be decided soon when an Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan.

"Both sides discussed a draft agreement pertaining to the modalities of the running of train. An Indian delegation will visit Pakistan before the end of January 2006 for signing the agreement," said Mr Ashok Gupta, Adviser-Traffic, Indian Railways, who was heading the Indian delegation while briefing the media.

The immigrations and customs clearance points would be at Munabao on the Indian side and Zero Point, a station located at distance of 8 km from Khokhrapar, on the Pakistan side. The distance between Munabao and Zero Point is about 2.5-3 km.

The rake for this service would be provided alternatively by the Indian and the Pakistan Railways on a six-monthly basis. For the first six months, the Pakistan Railway train would cross over the Indian side to Munabao, said Mr Gupta at the end of two-day talks between India and Pakistan.

Passengers from the Indian side would have to embark on the Indian Railways train from Jodhpur and undertake an eight-hour journey to reach Munabao, covering a distance of 180 km. At Munabao, they need to disembark and board a Pakistan Railways train, which would take them till Zero Point. They would then be transported to Kokhrapar on the same train or in a different train.

When the Indian Railways train crosses over to the Pakistan side, it would run till Zero Point, from where passengers would undertake further journey on a Pakistan Railway train.