With less than seven weeks before the path-breaking bus starts between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, officials on both sides of the border are working overtime to ensure that the service is on schedule.
The first task facing authorities of India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is to repair the road along the 170 km stretch and de-mine the area.
"Security of the passengers is of paramount importance," official sources said.
Officials from the External and Home ministries besides representatives from the Jammu and Kashmir government, defence forces and security agencies are looking into every aspect to ensure the bus starts on April 7.
The much-awaited decision to start the bus link in April was taken during External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh's Pakistan visit earlier this week.
Discussions are under way to determine the frequency of the bus service and the cost.
Earlier reports:
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