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Mad rush for last train to Pakistan
THE LAST TRAIN TO PAKISTAN: An emotional farewell to passengers leaving by Samjhauta Express on Sunday. - Photo: V. V. Krishnan
New Delhi, Dec. 30. A packed Delhi-Attari special chugged out of the old Delhi railway station tonight amid tight security on its last run to the border post carrying hordes of Pakistanis to catch the last train to their homeland.
Hundreds of misty eyed Pakistani natives jumped on the special train, being escorted by seven armed guards of the General Railway Protection Force, to the border station for the last trip of Samjhauta Express tomorrow morning.
The 25 year-old train service comes to a grinding halt from the New Year day, as part of New Delhi's post December 13 diplomatic offensive accusing Pakistan for its support to terrorist organisations.
In a bid to clear the rush and allow people get back without inconvenience, preference was given to Pakistani natives over `Indian passport holders', who were prevented from buying the sleeper class tickets when the bookings opened this morning.
Also, for passengers travelling by the ordinary economy class, the booking
opened at noon, four hours before schedule. There was a mad scramble at the
counter on the station as thousands of Pakistani natives lined up since
early morning even before the bookings opened to get into the train, the
capacity of which was increased by sixty per cent to clear the rush of
passengers.
- PTI
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