Preparations to start Quetta-Mashhad bus service are in full swing as the National Highway Authority (NHA) has spent Rs 230 million on the maintenance of Quetta-Taftan national highway (N-40).
Although the Dalbadin-Noshki (165 kilometres) road was trafficable, the plan to upgrade it was still in place, which could take six months, well informed sources told Business Recorder on Friday.
They said during a meeting between transport authorities of Pakistan and Iran in Zahedan on November 13, 2007, the Iranian authorities had taken up the matter of the dilapidated condition of the N-40, which was being upgraded as per the international standards for smooth flow of traffic between the two countries.
They said Pakistan was taking all measures to carry out necessary maintenance work like installation of signals prior to commencement of bus service between the two countries.
They said a high level meeting in January reviewed the arrangements for starting regular bus service between Quetta and Mashad, which was expected to be operational in the third week of this month. They said work on the bus terminal in Quetta was in its final stage, which was being upgraded at par with the international standards as customs point and immigration system were being improved to facilitate the travellers.
They said two bus companies - Beeta Safare Shargh of Iran and Sada Bahar of Pakistan - had signed an agreement to begin the bus service in a meeting held on November 12-13, 2007 in Zahidan, Iran. Communications Ministry's Joint Secretary Fardaus Alam, led the 12-member Pak delegation, while the Iranian delegation was led by Ali Raza Mojarred, Director General of Transportation.
The officials of terminal organisations of Sistan and Balochistan province also participated in the meeting held in Zahidan, they added. They said the commencement of the bus service was in pursuance of the agreement on bilateral transportation of goods and the passengers of October 1992 and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) of April 15, 2007, between Iran and Pakistan. The bus service will enhance the already existing people-to-people contacts between the two brotherly Islamic countries.