Delhi-Lahore bus service to start on March 16

The service will be four days a week, Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, Hashmi said, adding that the counters have already been thrown open for the booking of tickets.

Hashmi said passengers availing the bus service would be subject to normal rules governing visas and customs. 8220;No person without a valid passport and visa will be able to board the bus and passengers will not be allowed to terminate their journey on the way, nor will any passenger be taken on board,8221; he said.

On its way to Lahore, the bus will halt at Pipli in Haryana, Sarhind and Kartarpur in Punjab. The bus will start at 6 a.m. from Ambedkar Terminus and reach Wagah border by 4.30 p.m. It will be a 12-and-a-half-hour journey, with the bus reaching Lahore between 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The 38 seater-bus will comprise a five member crew with two drivers, two security guards and one liaison officer, he said.

Saying that opening the bus route between the two countries would herald a 8220;historical phase in people to people friendship8221; between the two countries, Hashmi said no other official would be travelling on the bus.8220;The Delhi Transport Corporation DTC has acquired two Ashok Leyland buses, while Tata has 8220;donated8221; one for the goodwill service,8221; Hashmi said.

Booking services for tickets are available at Ambedkar Terminus phone number 3317445, Kashmere Gate phone number 2968836 and Scindia House. The fare will be Rs 800 in Indian Rupees and Rs 950 in Pakistani Rupees, inclusive of meals.

The bus will be provided with a video, music and a mobile telephone service through which passengers can make calls on payment.

Hashmi also inaugurated two new DTC routes, one from Seelampur and another from Taj Enclave in the Trans-Yamuna area.