LAHORE, Nov 12: Some 150 Hindu pilgrims were stranded at the Wagah border crossing on Saturday as authorities failed to make arrangements for their travel to the Katas Temple in Chakwal.

P.L. Sangala of the Indian city of Ludhiana, who is heading the group, told Dawn that the pilgrims had checked in at 2pm, but even after a lapse of six hours they were neither provided with transport to reach their destination nor were they allowed to stay in Lahore as they did not have visa for the city.

The Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB), which usually makes arrangements for the Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, was reportedly unaware of their arrival.

EPTB sources blamed the Pakistani embassy for the situation. They said that no visa was issued to pilgrims without intimation to the board, implying that the embassy had not informed the board about the pilgrims.

“To make arrangements for their travel to Chakwal right now and provide them security, residence and food seems to be very difficult as the board has been informed about them at the eleventh hour,” the EPTB sources said.

The sources said that all staff was busy performing duties for thousands of Sikh pilgrims who had arrived here a couple of days ago to attend the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

The Hindu pilgrims, including 28 women and six children, were awaiting in the immigration centre lawns at Wagah till late Saturday.