The Delhi-Lahore bus service that was scheduled to start on July 1 may take some more days to resume, the officials of India and Pakistan who met in Delhi to discuss the modalities for the resumption of the service said Thursday.
A J S Sahney, chief managing director of the Delhi Transport Corporation, said: "The first day (for the resumption of the bus service) has not yet been decided. It may start on July 1 or may take some more days."
"From operational point of view, we are ready. But then immigration, visa and other things are also required. The passengers and the crew will need visas. These things have to be sorted out," Sahney said. "Both sides have made all necessary arrangements to resume the bus service at the earliest possible date, subject to visa arrangement by the respective authorities."
"The two sides will now process the formalities on issues such as immigration and visa requirements," he added
Sahney and Azfar Shafqat, deputy managing director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, addressed reporters after a two-and-half-hour meeting at the DTC headquarters.
"Whatever he (Sahney) has said, I endorse his views. Everything is set (for the resumption of the service). But visa and other formalities have to be sorted out. Once these issues are settled, the bus will start plying," Shafqat said. "Governments of both the countries want people to come close."
The officials also discussed the issue of Rs.2.4 million that the PTDC owes to DTC. The DTC had spent this money on the passengers' food while the bus returned from Lahore. According to the agreement, the Pakistani authorities have to pay this money to DTC.
"We are discussing it and will be sorted out," Sahney said.
Earlier, Indian authorities had said that the bus service, boon for many middle class people who have their relatives in both the countries, would start on July 1.
Officials said it takes about a month for people to get visas. The passengers and the crew need to have visas and then only the bus would start plying.
"It would be foolish to start the service without any passengers," an official told rediff.com on the condition of anonymity.
Officials of the DTC, home affairs and external affairs ministry and the Delhi Police participated in the meeting with the three-member Pakistani delegation headed by Shafqat.
The meeting will continue on Friday.
The golden coloured bus would ply twice a week, as it used to do earlier. The fare will also remain the same -- Rs 800.
Photo: Saab Press
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