Katra-Banihal section of USBRL project
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 8: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer today directed Deputy Commissioners of Reasi and Ramban to hold regular meetings with Railways authorities and resolve the bottlenecks pertaining to Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line on priority.
The Div Com issued these directions while chairing a meeting to review the progress of work on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line project and inquire about the issues hampering the progress.
The Railway Officer gave a detailed presentation and apprised the Div Com about the alignment, latest progress of work, salient features of the project, challenges, issues which need to be resolved.
It was informed that the total length of the USBRL is 272 KM out of which 161 KM has already been commissioned, while work on the remaining length of 111 Km from Katra to Banihal is in progress. The project is being built at a cost of Rs 27,949 crore.
It is pertinent to mention that the world’s highest railway bridge with a height of 359 metre is coming up on river Chenab under the project. Similarly, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge on Anji Nallah in Reasi is also coming up along the link.
The Divisional Commissioner reviewed in detail the progress on land acquisition, disbursement of compensation, availability of minor minerals etc.
It was informed that the land acquisition has been completed and the same has been provided to the railways in both the districts for execution of work.
The Div Com took a strong note of pendency in disbursement of land compensation and directed the Deputy Commissioners to expedite the process to ensure 100 percent disbursement of compensation to the owners.
While reviewing the availability of minor minerals, it was informed that construction material is available to the railways through various mineral blocks while issuing of fresh Short term permits are also under progress.
The Director Geology & Mining and Deputy Commissioners were asked to issue short term permits so that Railways could procure essential construction material without any problem in future also.
The Railways Engineers also apprised the Div Com that some utility shifting work is pending at locations in Ramban district.
The Div Com directed the Engineers of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd to expedite the work on shifting of lines so that work on the prestigious railway project was executed smoothly.
He exhorted district administration Ramban and Reasi to hold regular meetings with railway engineers and resolve all the issues on priority.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer USBRL Northern Railway, Sandeep Gupta; Director Geology and Mining, O P Bhagat; besides concerned Chief Engineers, Deputy Chief Engineers of Railways, while Deputy Commissioner Reasi and Ramban alongwith other concerned officers attended the meeting through video conferencing.
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