Train to Kashmir delayed by few years: Centre

Srinagar, July 17 (UNI) The Centre has admitted that the Rs 11,000 crore Udhampur-Qazigund-Baramulla railway project, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, would be delayed by three to four years due to difficult topography, inaccessible terrain and geological surprises along the 292-km track.

However, Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu expressed satisfaction over the progress of work on the 119-km railway line project between Qazigund and Baramulla and said the train would chug within the Kashmir valley next year.

Mr Velu was speaking after he along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad made an in-depth inspection of the progress of work on the prestigious Udhampur-Qazigund-Baramulla rail line project yesterday.

Starting from Katra, Mr Azad and Mr Velu made an aerial survey of the entire railway track for about eight hours and landed at half a dozen sites where bridges, tunnels and stations were being built.

They also visited sites of an under-construction longest railway tunnel and the world's highest railway bridge besides reviewing work on stations at Katra, Qazigund, Srinagar and Baramulla.

The entire project from Udhampur to Baramulla would be completed with a total cost of Rs 11,000 crore.

Mr Velu said he along with Mr Azad visited very important sites and problem areas on the track. Notwithstanding problems, substantial progress has been made on the implementation of the project, he added.

The Chief Minister said the completion of the prestigious project would not only make journey to and from Kashmir easy but also promote tourism and trade.

The railway track from Udhampur to Baramulla would itself be a major tourist attraction as it entails the highest railway bridge at a height of 359 mt over River Chenab and the longest railway tunnel in the world through Pir Panjal which is 11 km long, he added.

Both Mr Azad and Mr Velu took keen interest in the architecture of the Srinagar railway station building costing Rs seven crore. The main attraction of the three-storied building was the woodwork with traditional Kashmiri touch.

The facilities available at the station include a beautifully done waiting lounge, retiring rooms and restaurant.

Mr Azad suggested several improvements in the interior decoration of the building and asked for immediate turfing and landscaping of the railway station complex.

Later, the Chief Minister and Mr Velu planted saplings in the premises of the Srinagar railway station.

The Udhampur-Qazigund-Baramulla railway project is being executed in three phases including 25-km Udhampur-Katra, 148-km Katra-Qazigund and 119-km Qazigund-Baramulla sections.

The complete track would have 165 major and 715 minor bridges. Of these, 92 major bridges fall between Katra and Qazigund while 594 minor bridges from Qazigund to Baramulla.

UNI