With less than seven weeks before the path-breaking bus starts between Srinagar [Images] and Muzaffarabad, officials on both sides of the border are working overtime to ensure that the service is on schedule.

The first task facing authorities of India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is to repair the road along the 170 km stretch and de-mine the area.

"Security of the passengers is of paramount importance," official sources said.

Officials from the External and Home ministries besides representatives from the Jammu and Kashmir [Images] government, defence forces and security agencies are looking into every aspect to ensure the bus starts on April 7.

The much-awaited decision to start the bus link in April was taken during External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh's Pakistan visit earlier this week.

Discussions are under way to determine the frequency of the bus service and the cost.

Earlier reports:

Pak opposition divided over bus service

Bus will aid militancy: RSS

Bus to Muzaffarabad from April 7