KARACHI, Feb 20: Plans have been prepared for the construction of a building of international standard at the Zero Point to handle passenger traffic going to and coming from India through the Thar Express.

Drawing for the building has been prepared and a meeting with the concerned stakeholders will be held soon to finalize the plans.

This was stated by Divisional Superintendent Railways Nasir Zaidi told APP on return of the Thar Express from its maiden journey to Monabao.

He said that the building would facilitate customs, immigration and other formalities for the passengers using this route. Mr Zaidi said that the construction work would take 10-12 months.

He said that Federal Minister for Railways Mian Shamim Hyder had assured to approach the federal government to sought funds for the purpose.

At present, Mr Zaidi pointed out; make-shift arrangements had been made at Zero Point to facilitate the completion of travelling formalities for the Monabao-bound passengers under a tent.

He said that the teething problems encountered during the maiden journey of the Thar Express, were now being addressed by Federal Minister Mian Shamim and Chairman Railways Shakil Durrani, who worked day and night for the Thar Express operation.

Mr Zaidi said that at present there was only one shelter at Zero Point station to serve as a waiting area for the passengers going from Pakistan to India while a second shelter would be provided within 6-7 weeks to accommodate passengers coming from the Indian side.

Mr Zaidi said that till date 27 passengers had booked their seats in the Thar Express, which would leave here for its second trip to India on Feb 24. They are the people who have already obtained visa, he added.

To another question, Mr Zaidi said that on the directives of Railway Minister and Chairman Railways Shakil Durrani, a booking office would work at the Zero Point for issuing tickets to the passengers coming from India for their onward journey to Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad and Karachi.

He said that for passengers leaving for India, reservation facilities would also be available at the Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas stations.

Mr Zaidi said there was a need for more staff or even volunteers at the Zero Point to help the passengers coming from India in filling up the forms required for immigration.

He said that on their maiden journey to Pakistan, most passengers were not educated and immigration officials had to help them in filling up the required forms which caused delay in completing the immigration formalities.

Moreover, he said, there was a great need for some kind of arrangement for exchange of the Indian currency.

The official said that the passengers coming from India faced problems because the National Bank Branch staff said that they could exchange only dollars into Pakistani currency.

He said that although 397 passengers were booked for this train but the genuine visa holders to cross the border were 160. This indicated enthusiasm of the people as most of the non-visa holders expected that they would be granted visas at the border.

The Thar Express has a capacity to carry 690 passengers and a rough estimate indicates that around 800 persons were onboard.-– APP