New Delhi: India and Pakistan were again linked by road on July 11after a pause of over 18 months, with the resumption of the Delhi-Lahore bus service amid much fanfare and hopes of normalisation of relations between the two neighbours.

A luxurious golden-coloured Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus was flagged off from Ambedkar Nagar terminal in New Delhi at 6:10 am (IST) by Union Surface Transport Minister B C Khanduri, restoring the service snapped on December 31, 2001, 18 days after Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked Indian Parliament.

Kicking off the service, Khanduri hoped, "Better sense will prevail upon Pakistan and it will stop cross- border infiltration and terrorism sponsored by it."

Describing the resumption of the service as a "goodwill gesture", he hoped it would help improve relations between the two countries.

Packed to capacity, the 34-seater bus ferried 13 people eager to meet their relatives across the border, along with 19 reporters. Two policemen were also aboard the bus, which has been provided 'Z' category security cover.

The passengers, from various parts of the country, were elated at the resumption of the service and hoped the ties between the two countries would improve to enable easier movement of people across the border.

The Lahore-bound bus will take about 12 hours to reach its destination after three halts at Pipli, Sirhand and Kartarpur and a security check at Wagah border in Punjab during the 527-km journey.

Each journey will cost a passenger Rs 800 from the Indian side and Rs 950 (in Pakistani currency) from the other side on the four-times-a-week service.

As per the arrangement, DTC will ply one bus each on Tuesdays and Fridays and these will return the next days.

Meanwhile, a Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation bus, carrying 28 passengers, entered India through the Joint Check Post at the Indo-Pak Border in Wagah on July 11 morning from Lahore.

The bus was given a colourful send-off by Tourism Minister Raess Munir Ahmad.

The bus, after its crossing the Zero line, was taken for customs and immigration formalities.

The bus had a total of 31 people on board, including three crew members and six media representatives.

PTI