Wednesday, February 8 2006 11:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Wagah (Amritsar): Cricketer turned politician and Member Parliament from the Amritsar Constituency Navjot Singh Sidhu is eyeing for overall development of the international Attari Railway station and the Indo-Pak Wagah border. The MP took a whirlwind tour of the Indo-Pak Wagah border yesterday(Feb 7,2006) and had interaction with traders about their problems in importing goods from Pakistan. During the interaction with the top Custom officials at the Wagah border, Sidhu on the behalf of traders, described traders hardships to the officials as how the alleged indifferent attitude of officials was affecting the business activities and discouraging economic ties with Pakistan. Sidhu expressed concern over the alleged inadequate infrastructure at the international border at Wagah and Attari Railway Station. Talking to the media persons, Sidhu said, "Being a MP it would be difficult for me to say that Attari and Wagah is the gateway to Pakistan, Middle East with the present state of poor facilities".

"In these circumstances to attain its full potential and ensure prosperity for the people of the region is next to impossible", he said. "Shortly I am heading for the national Capital to hold talk with the Prime Minister to setup the mandatory infrastructure on international level since, this is major economic corridor which can uplift the economy of the nation as whole", he said.

Sidhu said, "The first and foremost requirement is having multiple gates one for import, one for export of cargo and the third for peoples traffic at the Wagah border as it would cut down the waiting time for goods/cargo at the border crossing. Presently, backlog for the last two month is yet to be cleared".

Sidhu said the utmost demand of the traders of India and Pakistan was that a Visa Center should be set up at the international border on both sides so that the traders of both the countries could exchange visits frequently. "To set up animal quarantine station in Amritsar is also the dire need of present circumstances since presently the traders of Punjab has to carry live stocks at the national capital Delhi since no quarantine station is here in Amritsar", he said. "To facilitate the international passenger traffic, there are numerous urgent requirements such as Air conditioned baggage halls, a basic requirement at any station trolleys, and I was surprised to know that there is only one doctor stationed in Amritsar to provide emergency treatment for the Airport, Railway Station and the border, who is called for as and when required", he said.