Five New Railway Surveys Underway in J&K, Others Remain Stalled: Government Updates
The Union government revealed on Wednesday that five new railway surveys are currently underway in Jammu and Kashmir, while other long-awaited projects remain stalled due to feasibility concerns and funding constraints.
Key Highlights from the Railway Minister’s Statement
Speaking in the Lok Sabha in response to Member of Parliament Mohmad Haneefa’s query, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shed light on the progress and challenges of railway connectivity in the region. Notably, the minister confirmed:
- The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh rail plan was dropped due to high costs and low demand.
- The Jammu-Poonch railway line remains stalled over feasibility concerns.
- The Banihal-Baramulla line doubling has been prioritized for execution.
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that the approval and execution of railway projects are determined based on traffic projections, operational requirements, and availability of funds, rather than on the basis of districts or Union Territories.
No Plans for Ganderbal-Kargil Rail Link
Despite the strategic importance of connecting Ganderbal in Kashmir with Kargil in Ladakh, the Union government clarified that no immediate surveys or plans are on the table for this railway line. The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh rail plan, initially estimated to cost ₹55,896 crore for its proposed 480-km route, was shelved following a feasibility survey conducted in 2016-17.
Strategic Rail Projects in Ladakh
The Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line, deemed a strategic priority by the Ministry of Defence, remains in focus. The survey for this 489-km project has been completed, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared, estimating the project cost at ₹1,31,000 crore. However, this too awaits further action.
Railway Connectivity Challenges in Rajouri and Poonch
The districts of Rajouri and Poonch continue to face uncertainty regarding railway connectivity. Minister Vaishnaw confirmed that a 223-km rail line project between Jammu and Poonch via Akhnoor and Rajouri has seen little progress due to low traffic projections, with an estimated cost of ₹22,771 crore.
Five New Surveys in Progress
The government has undertaken five new railway surveys in Jammu and Kashmir to explore better connectivity options:
- Baramulla-Uri New Line (46 km)
- Sopore-Kupwara New Line (37 km)
- Anantnag-Pahalgam New Line (78 km)
- Avantipore-Shopian New Line (28 km)
- Banihal-Baramulla Doubling (118 km)
These surveys aim to address gaps in the region’s railway infrastructure while considering traffic viability and socio-economic benefits.
Challenges Hindering Progress
Various challenges, including land acquisition issues, forest clearance delays, climatic conditions, and law and order concerns, have impacted the timeline for railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Minister Vaishnaw reiterated the importance of overcoming these hurdles to expand railway connectivity within the region.
What Lies Ahead?
While the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) has been fully completed, offering critical connections in Jammu and Kashmir, residents in Rajouri and Poonch remain hopeful for future expansion. With no clear timelines for stalled projects, the focus remains on optimizing current surveys and streamlining feasibility studies to enhance connectivity in this geographically diverse and strategically vital region.
