Delhi–Lahore Bus
Founded | 20 February 1999 |
---|---|
Stops | Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation |
The Delhi–Lahore Bus, officially known as Sada-e-Sarhad (
Officially launching its services on 16 March, the bus service was not halted even after the outbreak of the
Launching of the bus service
Since the partition of India in 1947, travel restrictions were imposed and most road and railway links shut off. Following the example of the Samjhauta Express that was launched in 1976, the bus service was launched to permit divided families to visit relatives and to foster commerce and tourism.[6] The bus service launch was a key element in the efforts of the Indian and Pakistani governments to improve frosty and tense relations with Pakistan, especially in the aftermath of the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests and the immediate Pakistani response of the Chaghai Hills tests.
The bus had made its trial runs on 8 and 14 January, carrying officials of both governments.
Suspension
While the bus service had continued to run during the Kargil War of 1999, it was suspended in the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack on 13 December 2001,[1][5] which the Indian government accused Pakistan of instigating.[9] The bus service was resumed on 16 July 2003 when bilateral relations had improved.[1]
Travel significance
Despite suspension due to bilateral tensions, the Delhi-Lahore bus remains a symbol of desired friendship between the two nations.
Bus service details
The Delhi-Lahore bus is jointly operated by the
Authorities on both sides maintain strict security screening of the passengers and the luggage. Hazardous materials are prohibited and valuables checked. Customs and immigration checking are performed on arrival in the Pakistani town of Wagah and at the first stop in India at
The DTC operated Bus is a Volvo B9R. Earlier, DTC had an Ashok Leyland Viking Bus[11] with an Azad[12] built body. The bus stops for meals and refreshment at Wagah and at the towns of
See also
- Poonch–Rawalakot Bus
- Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus
References
- ^ a b c d "Delhi-Lahore bus leaves for Pak". rediff.com. Rediff.com India limited. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ a b c "Delhi-Lahore bus service to start on March 16". expressindia.com. The Indian Express. 13 March 1999. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ "After Samjhauta Express, Delhi-Lahore bus service cancelled". 12 August 2019.
- ^ a b c Bains, Satinder (4 June 1999). "Kargil flare-up no damper on 'goodwill bus'". expressindia.com. The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ a b Sen, Ayanjit (28 December 2001). "India-Pakistan buses close down". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ a b Peer, Basharat (14 July 2001). "Delhi-Lahore bus: A symbol of peace". rediff.com. Rediff.com India limited. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ a b Malhotra, Jyoti (4 February 1999). "Vajpayee to take bus to Pak". expressindia.com. The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ Vajpayee drives across the border into Pakistan and history
- ^ Arundhati, Roy (15 December 2006). "India's shame". guardian.co.uk. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f "DTC's Delhi-Lahore-Delhi Bus Service". Delhi Transport Corporation. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
- ^ http://www.ashokleyland.com/sites/default/files/annual_report/milestones_apr11.pdf Archived 23 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Azad Group : Achievements". www.azadgroup.in. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2022.