ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (UNI): India and Pakistan today wrapped up their two-day meeting on the resumption of Khokhrapar-Monabao rail link without finalizing a timeframe to start the service snapped after the 1965 war between the two countries.
However, railway officials of the two countries agreed to continue consultations and decided to meet in New Delhi for the next round of talks to sort out technical details including timings of service between Monabao in India and Khokhrapar in southern Pakistan, said a joint declaration issued here after the talks today.
The head of the Indian delegation L R Thapar suggested the service could start in October, 2005 but Pakistani officials maintained replacing the 138-kilometer old track might take about two years, officials sources privy to the meeting said.
Pakistan will replace the existing dilapidated 128-kilometer narrow track with broad-gauge track between its Mirpur city and Khokhrapar, extending up to the border, with a total cost of 35 million dollars.
India will construct the 10-kilometer track from Monabao upto the border.
The service would help divided families across borders, as they currently use longer routes via Bombay and New Delhi, spending more time and money to meet.
This will be the second rail link to be made operational after commencement of Samjhota Express.
India and Pakistan resumed the train service, which connects Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan in January this year and Delhi-Lahore bus service last year.
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