NEW DELHI:
Railways is examining the suggestions of Sreedharan Committee on realignment of route between Katra and Banihal as part of the final leg of the Kashmir rail link project.
“The Sreedharan Committee has suggested for realignment in the Kashmir rail link project. Lot of issues are involved here, the Committee was constituted on High Court order,” Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said here today.
The Committee had suggested that the signature bridge on river Chenab, a critical section on the rail link to the Kashmir Valley between the 126-km long Katra and Banihal was not safe during earthquakes, landslides and also due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC).
“The report has examined both the alignments, the existing and the alternative ones. Both have merits and demerits. The suggestions were being deliberated by Railway Board and a final call would be taken at an appropriate time,” Chairman Railway Board A K Mital added.
The alternative route, as per the Committee’s report, is shorter and has straighter alignment of 70 km cutting through the mountain ranges, shifting the location of Chenab bridge from the gorge to the floor of the valley.
On the Debroy Committee report, Prabhu said “the report is interim one and we will take a decision once the committee submits its the final report.” (AGENCIES)
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