Attari Railway Station, located in Punjab near the India-Pakistan border, once had an unusual requirement for Indian citizens to carry both a passport and visa. This station was a crucial hub for the Samjhauta Express, which connected Delhi and Lahore until its suspension in 2019.
Attari Railway Station, situated in Punjab’s Amritsar district near the India-Pakistan border, holds a distinctive place in India’s railway network. Unlike typical train stations across the country, where domestic travel requires no passport or visa, Attari Railway Station enforced a unique rule. Indian citizens were mandated to carry both a passport and a valid visa to access the premises. This rare requirement made it a standout destination for unusual travel protocols within India.
Also referred to as Attari Sham Singh Railway Station, it serves the areas around the Attari and Wagah border and is the final stop on the Indian side before reaching Pakistan. In the past, anyone intending to board or disembark at this station needed a Pakistani visa. Without it, individuals risked serious legal consequences, including arrest or imprisonment. The station has always operated under tight security, with round-the-clock surveillance by law enforcement agencies, further underscoring its strategic significance.
Attari Railway Station has been a pivotal link between India and Pakistan, serving as the starting point for the iconic Samjhauta Express. This train, which once connected Delhi and Lahore, carried immense cultural and emotional weight for countless individuals. It provided a vital means for families divided by the 1947 partition to reconnect and offered opportunities for cross-border pilgrimages and trade. Over the years, the station became a symbol of hope and unity for those seeking to bridge the divide between the two nations.
The Samjhauta Express, once a significant emblem of cross-border connection, served as a crucial link for communities on either side of the border, with its route passing through Attari. However, this vital train service came to a halt in 2019 after India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the end of an era for a railway that symbolized hope and unity between the two nations.
Attari Railway Station serves as more than a mere transit hub; it stands as a poignant reminder of both the division and the enduring connections between two neighboring nations. Although the Samjhauta Express is no longer operational, the station continues to hold a vital place in India’s cross-border transport network, offering travelers a distinct and symbolic experience that reflects the region’s complex history.
The post Why Attari Railway Station In Punjab Stood Out With Its Passport And Visa Rule appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
