Delhi–Lahore Bus

The Delhi-Lahore Bus is a passenger bus service connecting the Indian capital of Delhi with the city of Lahore, Pakistan via the border transit post at Wagah. Launched in February 1999, the bus was of symbolic importance to the efforts of the governments of both nations to foster peaceful and friendly relations. The inaugural run of the bus carried the then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was to attend a summit in Lahore and was received by his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif at Wagah. Its official name is the Sadaa-e-Sarhad.

Although launched with great fanfare, the bus service was halted within months due to the outbreak of the Kargil War. The bus service would again be halted in the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, which further aggravated tensions between the two neighbours.

Launching of the bus service

Since the partition of India in 1947, great 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. 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. Vajpayee's bus journey and arrival in Pakistan was met with much fanfare on both sides of the border and worldwide media coverage. The inaugural bus also carried Indian celebrities and dignitaries such as the film star and former native of Lahore Dev Anand and noted businesspeople and journalists. Both governments soon promulgated the 1999 Lahore Declaration, which pledged both nations to the peaceful resolution of bilateral disputes, especially that of the Kashmir conflict, while fostering friendly commercial and cultural relations.

Suspensions

The celebrated launching of the service was followed soon by the outbreak of the Kargil War in the disputed territory of Kashmir, where Pakistan-backed insurgents were discovered to have infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir. The Indian government responded with a major military operation to evict the insurgents. The bus service was suspended indefinitely, but ultimately restarted in 2001, when relations thawed again by the peace efforts made by the Vajpayee government and the military regime of Pervez Musharaff. The bus service was again suspended when Islamic terrorists broke into the Indian Parliament building in order to kill members of parliament; while the attack was foiled, the Indian government accused Pakistan of instigating and planning the terrorist attack, and mobilised the Indian armed forces to enhance national security and counter any further Pakistani attacks. The Pakistan government denied the accusations and responded by mobilising its own armed forces. The bus service was resumed again in 2003, when bilateral relations once again thawed following the Vajpayee government's fresh peace initiative in Kashmir.

Travel significance

Despite suspensions due to bilateral tensions, the Delhi-Lahore bus remains a symbol of desired friendship between the two nations. Since its inception, the bus has frequently carried trade delegations, diplomats and celebrities to both nations, attracting much media coverage. In lieu of the Indian national cricket team's tour of Pakistan in 2004, the Pakistani government permitted 10,000 Indians to travel to watch the cricket matches in Lahore; many of whom travelled via the bus amidst great fanfare at the border; the gesture was reciprocated the following year when the Pakistan national cricket team toured India.

Bus service details

The Delhi-Lahore bus is jointly operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. The DTC offers the bus service on Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving from the Dr. Ambedkar Terminal at Delhi Gate and the PTDC offers the service every Wednesdays and Fridays. The DTC operates the bus for return trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the PTDC on Tuesdays and Fridays. Fare for adults is INR 1250, and for minors, Rs. 833. Children under age of 2 travel free.

Authorities on both sides maintain strict security screening of the passengers and the baggage. 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 Kartarpur. Passengers are required to carry their passports, a valid visa and their travel tickets and check in 2 hours before departure. The loss of tickets are to be reported to the police authorities.

The bus stops for meals and refreshment at Wagah and at the towns of Pipli, Sirhind and Kartarpur in India. The duration of the entire journey is 8 hours, covering a distance of 530 kilometres.