No mention of Jammu to Rajouri-Poonch line
*New line will help Army, boost tourism
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 4: The Ministry of Railways has proposed construction of new 40.2 kilometers railway line between Baramulla and Uri and doubling of 73.5 kilometers Qazigund-Budgam line, which presently operates as a single track while long pending demand of the Jammu region for rail line to twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch has once again been ignored.
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A decision on construction of Baramulla-Uri and doubling of Qazigund-Budgam rail line was taken in 99th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) held in New Delhi to evaluate infrastructure projects of Road, Transport and Highways. The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
“The Ministry of Railways has proposed the construction of new 40.2 railway line between Baramulla and Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, connecting five existing stations,” an official statement issued after the meeting, said, adding the project holds strategic importance, as Baramulla and Uri house major Indian Army establishments and fall close to the border.
Baramulla and Uri share Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan in the Kashmir valley.
The project will provide all-weather, reliable rail connectivity, addressing frequent disruptions faced by road travel during harsh winter.
“As Uri, located near the LoC in Kaman Post, has already emerged as a border tourism destination, the new railway line will give significant boost to the tourism,” the statement said.
It added that the proposed railway line will include three Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and nine Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and will be developed as a new single broad-gauge line, requiring fresh land acquisition.
As per the statement, the Ministry of Railways has also proposed the doubling of Qazigund-Budgam railway line, covering 73.5 kilometers stretch. Presently, Qazigund-Budgam railway line operates as a single track.
With commissioning of the Katra-Banihal section, the corridor will be fully integrated with the Indian Railways network, offering huge potential for passenger and freight traffic.
“The doubling project is of strategic importance, enabling seamless movement of military special trains carrying Army personnel, equipment and supplies. In view of this, it has been designated under the Hill and Strategic Corridor,” the statement read.
The project will have 10 Stations including nine crossing stations and one halt. The new alignment will run parallel to the existing line.
“Doubling of track will increase capacity, reduce delays and strengthen connectivity across the Valley. The project will also boost tourism and local economic activity while ensuring faster, safer, and reliable logistics for defence needs,” the statement said, adding the proposal marks another step toward building a resilient and strategically vital railway network in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Railways Ministry has also proposed development of third line between Ludhiana-Jalandhar Cantt and fourth line between Ambala Cantt-Sahnewal, covering 138 kilometers broad gauge (1676 mm).
Strategically, the project holds exceptional importance for national security as the corridor serves as shortest and most vital rail link to Jammu and Kashmir, enabling faster movement of defence personnel, logistics and supplies to border areas, the statement said.
However, despite persistent demands from the people of Jammu as well as leadership of different political parties, the rail link to the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch hasn’t been considered by the NPG.
Both these border districts also share Line of Control with Pakistan like Baramulla and Uri and have large tourism potential.
Even the senior BJP leaders have also repeatedly taken up the demand for connecting Rajouri, Poonch with rail, with the Railways Ministry, but there has been no positive response.
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