India objects to Pakistan’s plan of railway platform on the zero line

India, on Wednesday, objected to Pakistan’s plan to develop an existing railway platform at the zero line border between the two countries.

The zero line is the exact line that demarcates Indian and Pakistani boundaries.

During a quarterly DIG level meeting held between the two nations, Pakistani officials expressed wish for building a platform and sought India’s permission. Indian Security Force (BSF) officials, however, maintained that Pakistan should not violate the rules and avoid any construction on the zero line.

According to the international border rules, no country can construct anything within 500 metres of the zero line.

The two nations reopened the Munabao-Khokhrapar railway line in February 2006 after it was shut down during the India-Pakistan war in 1965.In 2006, the Thar Express - a weekly train started on this route.

Taking advantage of the harmony between two nations, Pakistan then built a railway platform in violation of international border rules and at that time India had expressed its objections. Pakistan subdued the issue by calling the platform a temporary arrangement.

The quarterly border meeting between DIG BSF India and DDG Pakistan Rangers Sindh was held at Munabao Indian side near Boundary Pillar No 814 on Wednesday. IK Mehta, DIG led the Indian delegation.

Brigadier Nadir Hussain DDG led the Pakistan delegation along with 13 other officers. In the meeting, border issues like inadvertent crossings of International boundary by civilians, illegal fishing by fishermen in Creek area and repairing of pillars were discussed.

THE TWO NATIONS REOPENED THE MUNABAOKHOKHRAPAR LINE IN FEBRUARY 2006 AFTER IT WAS SHUT DOWN DURING THE 1965 WAR