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INDIA-PAKISTAN
SIGN AGREEMENT ON RAIL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES (PIB 21-Jan-2001)
The talks of the Rail officials of India and Pakistan on rail communication
between the two countries concluded with the signing of an agreement by
the two sides here today. A background and the salient features of the
new agreement are as under:-
A Bilateral Agreement to resume rail communication between India and Pakistan
was entered into by the two Governments in 1976. This Agreement has been
in continuous operation since then by means of mutually agreed extensions
and modifications from time to time.
A five-member delegation headed by Mr.Abdul Qayyum, Additional General
Manager (Freight), Pakistan Railways, arrived India on 16th January 2001
to review, revise and renew this Agreement. The Pakistan delegation also
included Mr. Aurangzeb Khan, Additional General Manager (Passenger Business),
Mr. Nazir Ahmad, Chief Commercial Manager/Freight, Mr. Asad Saeed, Chief
Mechanical Engineer (Carriage) and Mr. Muhammad Saleem Bhatti, Financial
Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer, all of Pakistan Railways.
The Indian delegation was headed by Mr. S. S. Bhandari, Additional Member
(Traffic), Railway Board, assisted by Mr. Shri Prakash, Executive Director
(Traffic), Mr. V. K. Manglik, Executive Director (Mechanical Engineering)
and Mr. R. Sivadasan, Executive Director (Accounts).
Indian Railways and Pakistan Railways have had a highly professional association
spanning over several decades. The two Railways have always been appreciative
of each other`s concerns and perceptions. The Bilateral Agreement executed
in 1976 and continued thereafter, is an evidence of the long standing
spirit of cooperation between the two Railways for serving the travelling
public and trade of their respective countries in the best manner possible.
The `Agreement Relating to Rail Communication Between India and Pakistan`
identifies the details of rail services to be provided between India and
Pakistan as also the arrangements agreed upon by both the Railways in
matters pertaining to operation, maintenance and financial adjustments.
Periodically, representatives of the Indian Railways and Pakistan Railways
have been meeting to review the operation of this Agreement and to decide
upon the aspects needing modifications. Such comprehensive reviews and
revisions were undertaken in 1982 and 1991, and the current exercise also
had similar objective of evaluating the experience since 1991, and, then
crafting a revised document in consonance with the current expectations
and aspirations.
In the revised Agreement, which will come into force immediately, and
will remain valid for three years, both the railways have decided to upgrade
the services in Samjhauta Express by providing Sleeper Class/Economy Class
accommodation in the train. Samjhauta Express will continue to run as
a bi-weekly service between India and Pakistan.
Indian Railways also accepted the proposal of Pakistan Railways to permit
attachment of up to two extra coaches in Samjhauta Express to facilitate
clearance of heavy rush of passengers by the booking Railways.
The two delegations also noted the need for an increase in the present
level of interchange of about one freight train per day between the two
Railways. It was decided that Divisional level teams of both the Railways
would be deputed to examine the factors affecting the interchange performance
and initiate remedial measures.
Pakistan Railways have also agreed to accept eight wheeler BCX wagons
of Indian Railways. This step would facilitate interchange of higher tonnage
for train between the two countries.
SourceŠPIB 2000
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