The Hindu : Delhi Speaker to lead delegation to Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhi Speaker to lead delegation to Pakistan

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, MARCH 14. The new state-of-the-art luxury Volvo bus is likely to be put on the Delhi-Lahore route in the first week of April. Interestingly, it is expected that the Delhi Assembly Speaker, Ajay Maken, along with a mix of elected representatives, hoteliers, tour operators, eminent personalities, mediapersons and officials will embark on the inaugural journey that will coincide with the India-Pakistan test match being played at Lahore from April 5.

Insiders in the Delhi Government said the company has offered on lease the luxury Volvo bus that is already being run by the Rajasthan Tourism and Roadways to the Delhi Government for trial runs on this prestigious 541 km route. The bus, fitted with modern gadgets and inbuilt coffee service counter, will be fully air-conditioned and would have a capacity to seat 35 passengers. It is learnt that the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, has already approved of the proposal but the Congress Government does not want to term it as a goodwill tour. In fact, the Indo-Pak cricket series has provided an opportunity to link the inaugural run of the bus with cricket and not diplomacy. All the passengers on the inaugural run will also watch the five-day test between India and Pakistan and return after the conclusion of the match.

In fact, the Chief Minister had pressed for the induction of ultra-modern buses in the Delhi Transport Corporation fleet running between Delhi-Lahore and had even taken a test ride on the Volvo bus last year. It is understood that the Transport Department and the DTC will hire the Volvo bus on KM Scheme basis and the final details in this regard were being worked out. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Corporation is also being actively involved in the whole tour and it would be responsible for all the logistics. In fact, the whole initiative is at the instance of the Delhi Government and there is no involvement of the Central Government in sending across a delegation led by Mr. Maken and consisting of people from various sections of society. It is learnt that the Delhi Tourism Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely, before leaving for Berlin on Friday had discussed the details of the tour with the officials of DTC and DTTDC and the loose ends were being tied up before a green signal was given.

In fact, Mr. Maken and Mr. Lovely are keen followers of the game. The idea is to promote people to people exchange and also that of the elected representatives and at the same time enjoy the game of cricket. Interestingly, Mr. Maken is very superstitious so far cricket is concerned. Whenever India plays, Mr. Maken does not leave the room or his chair till the match concludes.

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