news details |
|
|
| Azad, Velu make 8-hr long survey of Katra-Baramulla railway track | | CM foresees rail run to Muzaffarabad, says would promote tourism, trade | |
Srinagar, July 16
- Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Minister of State for Railways, R. Velu today made an in-depth inspection of work on the 292 km Udhampur-Qazigund-Baramula Railway Project. Chief Secretary, C. Phunsog and senior officers of Indian Railways accompanied them.
Starting from Katra at 9.30 in the morning, the CM and Railways Minister made aerial survey of the entire track for about 8 hours and landed at half a dozen sites where bridges, tunnels and railway stations are being constructed. They interacted with officers and reviewed the pace of work. They also visited the sites of the under construction longest railway tunnel and the highest railway bridge in the world on the track, besides reviewing work on railway stations at Katra, Qazigund, Srinagar and Baramulla. The whole project of laying the track from Udhampur to Baramulla would be completed with a total cost of Rs. 11,000 crore.
Mr. Velu expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on the 119 km track between Qazigund and Baramulla and said that the rail would chug within the Valley next year. He said due to the difficult topography, inaccessible terrain and geological surprises along the track from Udhampur to Qazigund, the entire project would be completed in 3 to 4 years, connecting the Valley with the rest of the country. He said he along with the Chief Minister visited very important sites and problem areas on the track. He said notwithstanding problems, substantial progress has been made on the implementation of the project.
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 in the Valley. He said 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 meters over River Chenab and the longest railway tunnel in the world through Pir Panjal which is 11 km long. He said, he would hold a meeting with Mr. Velu and senior officers of the Railways tomorrow to review the project and sort out issues related with its smooth implementation.
At Baramulla railway station, the Chief Minister said that he foresaw the day when the rail line would be extended to Muzaffarabad and movement of people and goods gets easier across the LoC. He said the survey for the railway project from Baramulla to Kupwara had been completed and the approval for the project was awaited.
Azad and Velu took keen interest in the architecture of the Srinagar railway station building costing Rs. 7 crore. The main attraction of the three storey building is the wood work with traditional Kashmiri touch. The facilities available at the station include beautifully done waiting lounge, retiring rooms and restaurant.
Chief Minister suggested several improvements in the interior decoration of the building. He also asked for immediate turfing and landscaping of the railway station complex.
Chief Minister, Minister of State for Railways and Chief Secretary 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 fall between Qazigund and Baramulla.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
