Rlys Minister’s reply to Jugal, Namgyal
USBRL most difficult project post independence
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 20: The Railways Ministry has approved Final Location Survey of five lines, all of which fall in Kashmir division while survey of no new line has been approved in Jammu division.
This information was given by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today in a comprehensive reply in Lok Sabha in response to a joint question by BJP MPs including Jugal Kishore Sharma (Jammu-Poonch), Bidyut Baran Mahato (Jamshedpur) and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (Ladakh).
As per the reply given by Vaishnaw, Final Location Survey of five lines has been sanctioned in Jammu and Kashmir. The lines include doubling of Baramulla-Banihal section (135.5 kilometers), Baramulla-Uri (50 kilometers), Sopore-Kupwara (33.7 kilometers), Awantipora-Shopian (27.6 kilometers) and Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam (77.5 kilometers).
Significantly, all these rail lines fall in Kashmir division which means that Final Location Survey hasn’t been ordered on any new line in Jammu division.
There has been strong demand from the people that rail network should be extended from Jammu to Poonch via Rajouri as it will not only help the people but also the defence forces who man the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Besides, there has also been a demand for connecting Bani-Basohli-Billawar tehsils of Kathua district with Kishtwar and Doda.
The proposals for extension of rail line from Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch and from Bani-Basohli-Billawar to Kishtwar and Doda had earlier also been discussed with previous Railways Minister by senior BJP leaders of Jammu.
On Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, Vaishnaw said it is perhaps the most difficult new railway line project undertaken in the country post-Independence as the terrain passes through young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems.
Though the Railways Minister didn’t mention deadline for completion of project which will link the Kashmir valley with rail with the country, it is widely being believed that the project is likely to be completed in early next year.
The three BJP MPs including one each from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh had asked the Railways Minister to provide details of the steps taken to extend the Indian Railways network in Jammu and Kashmir and how the said expansion is benefiting local communities and businesses.
“The work of the new line in Jammu and Kashmir is being undertaken under the USBRL project. Out of the total 272 km of the project, 161 km has already been commissioned.
“The work on the Katra-Banihal (111 km) section has been taken up. Anticipated cost of the project is Rs 37,012 crore, against which, expenditure of Rs 34,261 crore has been incurred up to March, 2023 on the project. An outlay of Rs 5,310 crore has been allocated for the year 2023-24,” Vaishnaw said.
He said the Katra-Banihal section predominantly involves tunnelling.
Vaishnaw said 97.42 km out of 111 km, which is 87 per cent of the total length of Katra-Banihal section, is in tunnels and the maximum length of tunnel T-49 is 12.77 km, which will be the longest transportation railway tunnel in the country.
He said the Railway has made the world’s highest Railway Bridge over Chenab river in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1,315 metres long having arch span of 467 metre and height of 359 metre above river bed.
“Indian Railways’ first cable-stayed bridge has been constructed over Anji Khad. Its bridge deck is 331 metres above the river bed level and height of its main pylon is 193 metres,” he added.
Vaishnaw said that employment generation is a significant aspect of its impact.
“The project has generated more than 553 lakh man-days of indirect employment so far. Another crucial facet of the USBRL project’s socio-economic development efforts has been the construction of over 215 km of approach roads, which include construction of a tunnel and 320 small bridges,” Vaishnaw said.
“At present, nine pairs of trains are running over the Kashmir valley section due to which travel time of passengers has been reduced and travel experience has also become more comfortable than bus services. The passenger services and facilities are being improved by major redevelopment of Jammu Tawi railway station,” he said.
Vaishnaw also informed the Lok Sabha that in accordance with international norms, adequate safety provisions have been kept in mind for the USBRL project.
“All tunnels having length more than two km have been provided with mechanical ventilation systems to ensure air quality as per international norms,” he said.
Besides, according to him, a fire fighting system consisting of fire hydrants and fire extinguishers, to promptly address and contain potential fire incidents has been provided in all the tunnels. “Proper access roads have been constructed to all escape tunnels and adits,” Vaishnaw said.
To ensure safety of passengers, he said that trains plying between Baramulla and Banihal are being escorted by RPF staff.
According to the Railways Minister, the expansion of the rail line in Jammu and Kashmir is benefiting the local community and businesses by improving transportation and connectivity, boosting tourism, and facilitating the movement of goods and services.
“It’s a positive development for the region,” Vaishnaw said.
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