Delhi–Lahore-Delhi Bus : A Bridge Between Two Nations
The Delhi–Lahore Bus, officially known as Sada-e-Sarhad (Call of the Frontier), is a passenger bus service connecting the Indian capital of Delhi with the city of Lahore, Pakistan via the border transit post at Wagah. The Route master bus number 10 was of symbolic importance to the efforts of the governments of both nations to foster peaceful and friendly relations. In its inaugural run on 19 February 1999, the bus carried the then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was to attend a summit in Lahore and was received by his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif at Wagah.
Officially launching its services on 16 March, the bus service was not halted even after the outbreak of the Kargil War. The bus service was halted in the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, which led to a serious confrontation between the two neighbours. The bus service was resumed on 16 July 2003 when bilateral relations had improved.
Despite suspension due to bilateral tensions, the Delhi-Lahore bus remains a symbol of desired friendship between the two nations. Since its inception, the bus has frequently carried trade delegations, diplomats and celebrities to both nations, attracting much media coverage. In lieu of the Indian national cricket team’s tour of Pakistan in 2004, the Pakistani government permitted 10,000 Indians to travel to watch the cricket matches in Lahore; many of whom travelled via the bus amidst great fanfare at the border; the gesture was reciprocated the following year when the Pakistan national cricket team toured India.
The Delhi-Lahore bus is jointly operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. The bus service is operated from Ambedkar Stadium Bus Terminal near Delhi Gate in Delhi and the Lahore-Delhi Bus Terminal at Gulberg-III near Libery Market in Lahore. For journey to Lahore, there is a DTC Bus every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a PTDC Bus every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. As regards the return trip to Delhi, the DTC Bus leaves Lahore every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday whereas the PTDC Bus leaves Lahore every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The DTC charges ₹ 1500 for adults ($24 approx.), and ₹ 833 ($13.2 approx.) for minors. Children under age of 2 travel free. The PTDC charges Rs. 4000 ($40 approx.)for adult ticket since Nov 1, 2014 (the price before was Rs. 2000).
Authorities on both sides maintain strict security screening of the passengers and the baggage. Hazardous materials are prohibited and valuables checked. Customs and immigration checking are performed on arrival in the Pakistani town of Wagah and at the first stop in India at Kartarpur. Passengers are required to carry their passports, a validvisa and their travel tickets and check in 2 hours before departure. The loss of tickets are to be reported to the police authorities.
The DTC operated Bus is a Volvo B9R. Earlier, DTC had an Ashok Leyland Viking Bus with an Azad built body. The bus stops for meals and refreshment at Wagah and at the towns of Pipli (A small town on outskirts of Kurukshetra), Sirhind and Kartarpur in India. The duration of the entire journey is 8 hours, covering a distance of 530 km (329 mi). The bus is air-conditioned and carries on-board entertainment such as film shows, video and music players as well as a mobile telephone service.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
1. Necessary Travel Documents:
Passengers are required to have valid Passport and Visa for undertaking the journey.
2. Booking Office for Tickets:
Dr. Ambedkar Terminal ( Delhi Gate)
Tel. – No.23318180, 23712228
3. Fare:
| 12 Years & above | Rs.1500/- |
| Above 2 years but below 12 years | Rs.1000/- |
| Up to 2 years (No entitlement of seat) | Free |
(Fare is inclusive of complementary breakfast, lunch & evening tea provided at designated halts in transit).
4. Advance Booking – Up to 60 days in advance of the date of journey, after producing the original and photocopies of these documents.
5. Refund Towards Cancellation:
| Cancellation in less than 24 Hrs. of Scheduled Departure | No Refund |
| Cancellation between 24 Hrs. and less then 72 Hrs. before Scheduled Departure. | 50% refund |
| Cancellation more then 72 Hrs. before the Scheduled Departure. | 75% refund |
6. Duplicate Ticket:
In case the loss of ticket is reported by a passenger before commencing journey against a Police Report (NCR), fresh ticket is issued to him as ‘Duplicate Ticket’ against payment of administrative charges of 25% of actual fare, subject to verification of identity of passenger.
7. Baggage:
Maximum of 29” long suitcase with a perimeter of 60” weighing up to 20 kg. is permissible along with one shoulder bag. Free luggage will not be allowed to children below 12 years except a handbag of reasonable size.
Excess Baggage allowed up to 15 kg. on payment @ Indian Rs.60/- per kg. or in Pakistani Currency Rs. 70/- per kg.
8. Guidelines for Packaging:
No valuables such as cash, jewellery, cameras, negotiable papers or business documents should be placed in checked-in-luggage.
9. Restricted Luggage:
Hazardous articles (prohibited by law) are not allowed such as acids, matches, fluids, poisons, inflammables, explosives or compressed gas.
10. Cabin Baggage:
One small handbag is allowed to be kept in the bus cabin.
11. Liability:
Baggage and passenger liability is limited by Law/Convention under the jurisdiction of Govt. of India Laws. All buses are insured as per Indian Motor Vehicles Act for commuting passengers between Delhi & Lahore and DTC is not liable for any claim/loss whatsoever.
12. Check-in Two Hours Before Scheduled Departure:
The passengers are requested/advised to report at the Terminal at least two hours before the scheduled departure of the bus. Reservation will be cancelled if the passenger fails to report for check-in well in time.
13. Departure Time:
| Delhi (Dr. Ambedkar Terminal, Delhi Gate) |
6:00 AM IST |
| Lahore (66, Gulberg – III) |
6:00 AM PST |
14. Complimentary Light Refreshment & Food:
The breakfast at Tourist Resort, Pipli (Haryana) and lunch at Magnolia Tourist Complex, Kartarpur (Punjab) will be served to the passengers of the bus leaving Delhi for Lahore. The evening tea will be served at PTDC Motel, Miandam, Wagha.
For the return bus, the first halt would be at Kartarpur, lunch at Sirhind and tea at Pipli Tourist Complex. The breakfast will be served at PTDC Motel, Wagha (Pakistan), where Pakistani immigration/custom check is carried out.
15. Halts:
There are three halts allowed between Delhi & Wagah Border:
a) Parakeet Tourist Complex, Pipli (Haryana):
| Distance between Delhi & Pipli | 165 Kms. |
| Running time | 3 Hours |
| Halt duration | 15 Minutes |
b) Bougan-Villea Tourist Complex, Sirhind (Punjab):
| Distance between Pipli & Sirhind | 103 Kms. |
| Running time | 2 Hours |
| Halt duration | 30 Minutes |
c) Magnolia Tourist Complex, Kartarpur (Punjab):
| Distance between Sirhind & Kartarpur | 144 Kms. |
| Running time | 3 Hours |
| Halt duration | 15 Minutes |
Passengers traveling between Delhi & Lahore would not be allowed to disembark/embark enroute except at the halts indicated above. The passengers are requested to cooperate with the bus crew/security staff at the halts to avoid any inconvenience.
16. Non-Consumption of Personal Food in the Bus:
The passengers will not be allowed personal eatables during the journey except for the items provided by the DTC and PTDC.
17. Provision of Space for Prayers at the Halts:
Proper place has been earmarked at Pipli Tourist Complex/Sirhind/Kartarpur for the passengers desiring to perform prayers during the journey.
18. Violation of Law:
It is brought to the notice of the passengers that those who violate the law will be dealt with as per the law of the land.
Photo Credits : Respected Photographers
Details : Delhi Transport Corporation
