Udhampur-Katra rail link to be completed in 2007-08

New Delhi, Apr 27 (UNI) About 45 per cent of the work on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line, declared a national project, has been completed, the government said today.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Railways R Velu said work on the Kakapore-Budgam section of the project had been completed and Udhampur-Katra and balance work on the Qazigund-Baramulla section were targeted for completion during 2007-08.

He said the target for the Katra-Qazigund section was under review in view of difficult geological and working conditions, forestry clearances and construction of bridges/tunnels involved.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had inaugurated the 55-km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail link in April 2005 by flagging off the Uttar Samparak Kranti Express, which incidentally became the first train connecting the mountainous district of Udhampur with the rest of the country.

It also marked a significant step towards the realisation of the ambitious project of connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country with rail link.

The Centre has earmarked a sum of Rs 1000 crore for the project that is aimed at accelerating development of the state.

''The Jammu-Srinagar rail link has been accorded the status of a national project and it would not be allowed to starve for funds,'' a ministry official said.

UNI