New Delhi: Suspense and confusion over the date for resumption of the Indo-Pak bus link ended on July 5 with Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) announcing re-launching of the Delhi-Lahore service from July 11.

The re-launch of the service, snapped on December 31, 2001 following attack on Parliament by Pakistan-backed terrorists, marks yet another confidence-building measure between the two countries after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's peace initiative in April.

DTC said it had received a formal communication from the Central government for resuming the twice- weekly service after a gap of over 18 months.

Bookings for the passengers would be started from July 7 for the two 34-seater buses, DTC spokesman Suneet Mudgal said.

He said the persons desiring to travel by the buses would be required to furnish all necessary travel documents, including passport and visas. The cost of each ticket on Indian side is Rs 800.

The first vehicle will roll out at 6.00 am (IST) on July 11 from Indian side, Mudgal said, adding during the 527 km journey, the bus will stop at three places – Pipli, Sirhand and Kartarpur – for food and refreshment and at Wagah for checking.

While the buses from the Indian side will ply on Tuesdays and Fridays, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) will ply a bus each on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The announcement comes more than six weeks after the Central government's decision to resume the service and nearly three weeks after Indian and Pakistani officials held two-day talks to work out modalities.

The service was originally planned to be launched from July 1, but was delayed due to "logistical" reasons.

Delhi government and state-run DTC throughout maintained that they were ready to resume the service as they had spruced up the two golden-coloured buses and the terminal from where all passengers would board and arrive.

DTC even carried out a trial run of the two buses till Pipli on July 2 to test the efficacy of the recently replaced parts, including air condition, gears and clutches.

A Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman told a foreign news agency the same day that the service will resume on July 11, but the Indian side was waiting for an official communication from Islamabad, which was received on July 5.

PTDC also has to pay DTC's dues of about Rs 19 lakh and according to Delhi government sources it would take some time.

PTI