New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) The security protocols and matters concerning passports waiver would figure in the talks between India and Pakistan at Attari border town in Punjab on Thursday wherein the government hopes to make forward movement in the parleys with the western neighbour.
"Some of these points you are raising will be discussed tomorrow....We can come back to you only after the discussions," an official source said answering questions on the passport issue.
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has said in a statement said that it was not enough to build the Corridor on fast track but the pilgrims also needed to be facilitated to have `khule darshan’ - a clear reference to passport and visa issue.
“The condition of passport and visa would prevent thousands of devotees without passports, particularly those living in the rural belt of Punjab, from fulfilling their aspiration to pay obeisance at the historic Gurdwara associated with the life of the first Sikh Guru,” the Chief Minister said.
'We are going with a positive mindset and hope Pakistan will also reciprocate in the same manner,' a senior government official said here on the deliberations likely to happen at Attari on Thursday.
The government officials expressed hope that forward movement will be made in talks with Pakistan for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.
India is also hoping for 'formal agreements' with Pakistan on two fronts -- One is essential features of the Memorandum of Agreement which will deal with "operational modalities" of the Corridor. The second area wherein broad agreement is expected is "infrastructures and the state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building Complex at Kartarpur Sahib Corridor".
"The issues like alignments of structures essentially from engineering point of view would also be discussed," the source said.
"We are looking forward in the light of the progress we have already made...We are hoping that we will make further progress tomorrow. We are approaching this meeting with a very constructive and positive mindset and we generally expect that the Government of Pakistan would reciprocate in commensurate manner," the official said.
"We are expecting to draw out next few steps forward towards operationalising the corridor in physical terms and operational terms," the source said.
He said the Government of India has identified 50 acres of land for the corridor 'which has immense national importance'. In the first phase, 15 acres of land will be developed and a state of the art terminal building will be setup.
Sources said the Department of Border Management has been "mandated" to create a massive infrastructures to create this huge facility at the 'zero point' on the international border.
The design of the Passenger Terminal Building Complex is inspired by the symbol 'Khanda' which
symbolises values of oneness and humanity, an inter-departmental note said.
The building will be differently-abled and elderly persons friendly and will cater to the smooth movement of approximately 5000 pilgrims per day and the complex will incorporate robust security protocols with the CCTV surveillance and other advanced security systems.
There will be 54 immigration counters and 12 customs centres for processing 5000 pilgrims per day.
The estimated expenditures for the Phase I Terminal Building is expected to cost RS 140 crores excluding the cost of the land.
From the Indian government side, arrangements will be made for additional 10,000 pilgrims especially during festivals and rush days.
The official source said security aspects are not getting "compromised" under any situation.
"Security issues for us is a national concern," the source said, adding it will be taken care of by "our government and thus need not be a subject matter of debate and discussions".
From the Indian side, the BSF will cater to the principal issue of security, sources said.
UNI DEVN SW 1701