SNE NETWORK.AMRITSAR/CHANDIGARH.
Samjhauta Express train waiting for return at Wagah railway station of Pakistan for the last 5 years. The reason for cancelling the train was that India had canceled Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, which Pakistan did not like.
Samjhauta Express train used to complete a journey of 29 km between Attari (India) and Lahore (Pakistan) every Thursday and Monday. It is the only train in the world to cover the shortest international distance of just 3.25 km between Attari and Wagah stations.
11 coaches standing in Pakistani border
According to the agreement for Samjhauta Express, India and Pakistan have to use their rakes alternately every six months. Pakistani rakes are used from January to June and Indian rakes from July to December.
Usually the rakes return to their country on the same day or after an overnight stay. But now that it has been almost 5 years since the Samjhauta Express was suspended, 11 bogies of this train are still standing at Wagah station in Pakistan.
Letters were sent 4 times, but Pakistan did not respond
India’s Foreign Ministry has corresponded with Pakistan 4 times, but even today these coaches are standing at Wagah railway station, 500 meters from the international Indo-Pak border. Regarding the return of the Samjhauta Express coaches, Wagah railway station manager Mohammad Izhar said that we have requested India to send its engine and take the coaches, but no response has come.
At the same time, Indian railway officials say that according to the Shimla Agreement, the Indian coach went with the Pakistani engine, and it is their responsibility to return it.