In a further boost to India-Nepal ties, the Delhi-Kathmandu bus service was launched by the Delhi Transport Corporation on Tuesday. The bus will cover a distance of 1250 km in 30 hours.
Flagging off the bus, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “This is the same place from where Vajpayee Ji flagged off the Delhi -Lahore bus service. This service is historic.” It will play an integral role in strengthening our ties with Nepal, the leader added.
The bus, which will leave at 10 am everyday, will have four halts in Firozabad, Faizabad, Sunouli and Mugling (Nepal). The fare will be Rs.2300 per passenger. Custom checking will happen at Sunoli border. While Indian and Nepalese passengers will need government approved ID cards, foreign nationals will need their passports for the clearance.
The service has been launched days after the Narendra Modi Cabinet gave nod to signing an agreement on passenger traffic between India and Nepal at the SAARC Summit, scheduled on Wednesday.
Lt Governor Najeeb Jung also called the service a historic move in the Indo-Nepal ties.
On the occasion, Gadkari stressed on the need to have a bus port in Delhi. He also talked about the E Rickshaw permission issue in Delhi. “The process is being expedited,” he said.