ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Pakistan and India on Thursday decided to take up repair work on railway tracks before opening the Khokhrapar-Monabao rail route between the two countries.

The decision was taken on the first day of the two-day meeting which began here on Thursday, a private television channel reported, quoting informed sources. It was also decided that during the course of time, arrangements for handling travel documents could be undertaken. A proposal that visa offices be established at the departure and arrival points also came up for discussion.

The meeting will further discuss these issues and matters relating to the number of trains and passengers, technical and other related matters on Friday (today). Railways Board Secretary Zaeem Ahmed Chaudhry led the Pakistan delegation, while the Indian side was represented by L.R. Thapar, additional member of the Indian Railways Board.

Talking to newsmen before the meeting, Zaeem Chaudhry said talks were being held on the desire of the leadership of the two countries to reopen this route to bring divided families closer.

He expressed the hope the two countries would be able to come to an understanding on reopening the second rail link. A 'breakthrough' in talks was likely, he said. "It is gift from one country to another, to bring divided families together. It is a good gesture," he added.

"No financial return is involved and the link restoration is a move to bring closer divided families," he said. During the meeting, Pakistan adopted the stand that railway tracks should be renovated before launching the service.

Sources said the distance between Mirpurkhas and Monabao was 128km, out of which a patch of up to 10km had no track. In addition, the narrow-gauge track was in dilapidated condition as the rail route had been suspended since 1965.

They said Pakistan wanted to convert the track into the modern broad-gauge system because spare parts of the old system were not available. According to the sources, the Indian side said their railway system was functioning on the narrow-gauge system in several cities and India could provide logistic support and diesel for the system.

For travel documents, the Indian team suggested that both the countries should open visa counters near railway stations for convenience of passengers. However, no final decision was made on the issue.

Sources in the Railways Ministry said the rail track from Mirpurkhas to Khokhrapar needed repairs but no track existed between Khokhrapar and Monabao and it would be a daunting task to lay a new track.

Both sides are expected to take a final decision after the conclusion of technical-level talks. Up gradation of the whole track or laying a new track is believed to need approximately 16 to 18 months.

The sources said an estimated amount of Rs2101 million would be required to restore the Khokhrapar-Monabao rail link. They said the Pakistan Railways had submitted a feasibility report to the Planning Commission for laying a new broad-gauge 128km-long railway track from Mirpurkhas to the Khokhrapar border. - Agencies