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Lahore-Delhi bus service running smoothly despite Shiv Sena threat

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Despite the alleged threats from Hindu fanatic organisation, Shiv Sena, to forcibly stop the Lahore-Delhi Friendship Bus Service, the service is booked to its full occupancy till the first week of February 2000.

The bus service is scheduled to ply twice a week from Lahore to Delhi, for which Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has reserved two buses. The PTDC Lahore-Delhi bus leaves on Tuesdays and Fridays to return the next day while Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses reach Lahore following the same schedule.

There is capacity of 39 passengers in the buses being run by The PTDC while DTC buses can accommodate only 34 passengers.

Deputy Manager of PTDC Lahore, Chaudhry Mohammad Rafiq, told Business Recorder that although there is tension in the minds of passengers after the Shiv Sena threats, it has caused no immediate affect on the service. And those who wanted to book their seats in advance have to wait till the second week of February 2000.

Chaudhry Rafiq said that security arrangements in the Indian territory are sufficient as two armed police officials travel in the bus while a pilot car carrying four armed guards leads the bus to its destination in Delhi.

To a question, Chaudhry Rafiq said that there was no plan of expansion in this service. He said that the service is providing a very good facility to tourists of both the countries as well as foreigners travelling between the two countries as it covers four days a week while train or air service is available only twice a week.

Meanwhile, some of the staffers at the Lahore bus terminal, on condition of anonymity, told Business Recorder that one of the Pakistani buses met an accident at Panipat about 20 days back.

They claimed that although the bus had been brought to Lahore, the high-ups of the PTDC were not taking interest in its early repair.

They also complained that the bus driver, Siraj Din Butt, who broke his legs in this accident, was not given any compensation.

While the other bus, they further added, was also not in a good condition. They urged the government to fully back and protect this service as these buses are a symbol of our national dignity and prestige in the neighbouring country.