Call it a legacy of the enduring saga of partition or an attempt to improve and strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries if only through another rail link. India and Pakistan are in talks for running another passenger train to ferry people across the two borders. Sources told FE that talks have been initiated on the issue between the two governments.
It would, however, be too early to comment on whether the train would finally run or not, especially considering the political turmoil that Pakistan was witnessing at present, the sources added.
Rail Bhavan officials said the train was likely to originate in Punjab or Rajasthan on the Indian side, though the final locations on either side would be finalised only after further talks.
Government sources were also not ready to commit on a possible time frame for running the train. According to a railway ministry official, ?We had discussed the issue but much would depend on the response we receive from Pakistan.? If the proposal goes through, it would be the third passenger train running between the two countries. At present, Samjhauta Express and Thar Express ferry passengers between the two countries. While Samjhauta Express runs between Delhi and Atari in India to Wagah and Lahore in Pakistan, the Thar Express connects Jodhpur through Munabao in India and Karachi via Khokrapur in Pakistan.
Services of the two trains, however, have been disrupted time and again, depending on the relations between the two neighbours and security concerns. The Thar Express service was suspended last year following floods in Rajasthan.
It may also be noted that in April this year India and Pakistan have extended till 2010 the bilateral agreement to run passenger trains and freight services between the two countries.