The Thar Express, a train connecting India and Pakistan across the Rajasthan border that was stopped last year following floods in the desert state, is all set to resume on Saturday from Jodhpur.
The train, which starts from Jodhpur and enters Khokhrapar in Pakistan, was stopped Aug 21 following flash floods in Barmer district.
"The Thar Express is all set to restart its journey from Saturday," SB Gandhi, the senior deputy general manager of North Western Railways, told the agency.
He said that all formalities related to the running of the train have been completed. "The Pakistan Railways has also been informed about it," Gandhi said.
Having repaired and restored the rails after flood damage, engine tests were run on it, railway officials said. Visa-related procedures of Indian Railways drivers and guards have also been completed, they added.
Computerised tickets are planned for passengers going to Pakistan, as it would help the railways store details of passengers headed to Pakistan.
Till now the railways have been maintaining records by giving out manual tickets.
{{/usCountry}}Till now the railways have been maintaining records by giving out manual tickets.
{{/usCountry}}The computerised record would be provided to officials at Munabao's immigration counters.
"The railways is updating a special software to connect the ticketing of Thar Express with its existing pre-reservation system and from the second trip on, we hope to start computerised ticketing," Gandhi added.
The Barmer region, which usually receives 277 mm annual rain on an average, recorded 575 mm last year. Over 100 people had lost their lives and property and agriculture crop worth millions of rupees were washed away.