LAHORE, March 8: Some 250 passengers could not board the Atari-bound Samjhota Express on Thursday due to shortage of seats in the train.

Over 150 of them had been staying at waiting rooms of the Lahore railway station since Monday last as either they had no acquaintance in the Punjab capital or their visas had expired, sources said.

“Railway authorities took no measures to inform passengers about the decision which created hardships for many, especially those who came there on the last day of their visa,” they said.

After the Panipat tragedy, it had been decided that the number of passengers would not be more than the seating capacity of the train.

The scheduled time of 402-Down Samjhota’s departure from Lahore is 8am and arrival at Wagah 8:35am; and departure from Wagah 11:30am and arrival at Atari 11:40am. But the train rarely follows the schedule.