Lahore ( Ali Imran Chatta ) Five years have passed, but India and Pakistan have yet to decide on the resumption of the Samjhauta Express, also colloquially known as the ‘Mohabbatan Di Gaddi’ (train of love) as the train was not only a symbol of peace between the two nations, that used to reunite the separated families, but also used to facilitate the movement of pilgrims fulfilling their religious aspirations and supported cross-border trade.
It was on August 8, 2019 when Pakistan railway authorities informed the station master of Attari International Railway station that the crew of train including two drivers and a guard had refused to enter the Indian territory due to security reason.
The Pak railway authorise also asked the Attari station master to send the Indian crew to bring the train to India which was scheduled to arrive at Attari at 12.30 pm following which Indian crew went to Wagah in Pakistan and brought Samjhata Express along with about 110 Indian and Pakistani passengers at around 5 pm. The empty rakes were again send back to Pakistan since it was conveyed that the suspension was only for a day and not permanent.
According to the agreement between India and Pakistan, each country alternates every six months in utilizing their respective rakes for the Samjhauta Express. Pakistani rakes are used from January to June, while Indian rakes are employed from July to December. Typically, the rakes are returned to their home country either on the same day or after an overnight stay.
Now, the Indian rake comprising of 11 bogies is lying at Wagah railway station in Pakistan.
According to Indian Authorities The Pulwama terror attack had lead to heightened tension between two countries followed by various severe measures against Pakistan and the suspension of Samjhauta Express was one among other measure.
According to Pakistan the government stopped train when India changed occupied Kashmir legal status.
Samjhata Express also know as harbinger of peace used to run between Attari (India) and Lahore (Pakistan) on every Thursday and Monday covering a distance of nearly 29 kilometres. The train also covers a shortest international distance of only 3.25 kilometre distance between Attari , India and Wagah , Pakistan. But, the train had also borne the brunt of bitterness between two nations and was often suspended time and again , it was suspended after demolition of Babri Masjid , during farmers rail roko agitation in 2015 , post Pulwama attack and changed occupied Kashmir legal status etc.
“The resumption of Samjhauta Express will not only bring prosperity due to business activities on both sides but it will be helpful for the faithful to fulfil their religious aspirations “ opined Dr. Manik Mahajan adding that the resumption of train service between two countries will be helpful not only to the people of Pakistan but also boost the medical tourism in Punjab. He further said that if a service was initiated in past, it should not be ignored for long .
Various trade bodies have also demanded for the resumption of the trade and have also submitted memorandums with the Home Ministry and are awaiting for their decision.
Reacting to the suspension of the train service between two countries, former Secretary, Pakistan Railways, Habib-ur-Rehman said “If there are more people to travel, road as well as rail links have to Ber restored”. However, he said that the primary focus should be on improving the trust so that more people could travel to each country.
“Restoration of Samjhauta Express will socially be helpful for people of Punjab on both sides, it will help Sikh and Hindu pilgrims to visit Pakistan and fulfill thief religious aspirations,” he said.
