Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 25: The Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) has expressed serious concern over shifting the alignment of the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch Rail line in the new survey conducted recently and cautioned that this fresh survey will raise the project cost and neglect many people from Akhnoor and Sunderbani sectors.
In a communication to the Union Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, JCCI president, Arun Gupta expressed gratitude for extending direct train service from Jammu to Srinagar but at the same time expressed grave concern for shifting the already surveyed alignment of Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch Rail link to new rail alignment via Reasi to Rajouri-Poonch which is more difficult terrain and may not only escalate the project cost but will also neglect the established population centers who are awaiting since long for this connectivity.
He urged the Union Government to keep in abeyance the new alignment sanctioned vide No. 2025/W/2/FLS/03(E)-3491173 dated April 8, 2026 and implement the originally surveyed route via Akhnoor-Kaleeth, Chowki Chouhra, Bambla, Sunderbani, Nowhshera and Rajouri. Chamber believes the recent shift in alignment overlooks several critical factors, JCCI president said.
Gupta further said the Akhnoor-Rajouri-Poonch belt comprises some of the most densely populated areas in the region. The original alignment would serve significantly larger population base compared to the Reasi route ensuring maximum utility for the common citizens and the business community. Besides, this region is a hub for substantial goods movement including cement and parcel traffic. A Railway-line through these commercial centers would ensure high revenue and passenger and goods traffic making the project more economically sustainable for the government exchequer.
JCCI chief said that the original alignment witness heavy deployment of security forces. Aligning the railway through vulnerable yet strategically vital locations like Akhnoor and Nowshehra would facilitate the rapid movement of troops and supplies, thereby strengthening national security preparedness along the borders.
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