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| Swiss firm to study modified Katra-Qazigund rail feasibility | | | ET DESK
JAMMU, Nov 18: After suspending work on a segment in the Kashmir rail link project on finding it unviable, the Railways have now proposed a modified alignment which will see a drastic reduction in cost, length and infrastructure on the section. Amberg Engineering, a Swiss consultancy firm has been assigned to do the feasibility study of the proposed modified Katra-Qazikund alignment, said a senior official in Railway Ministry.
According to the modified alignment, the length of the route has been reduced from 124 km to 70 km and the number of tunnels from 62 to just eight.
Since the route is becoming shorter, number of stations will also be reduced from nine to five only, said the official.
Keeping the safety aspect in mind, the new alignment has been proposed to have fewer curves in comparison to the earlier one.
While the number of bridges has been reduced from 90 to10 on the changed route, the much-touted Chenab bridge has been shifted further upstream resulting in drastic reduction of its length from 1.4 km to to 480 metres, said the official.
Besides, the project cost has also been reduced from about Rs 9000 crores to Rs 7000 crores, said the official.
Barring the construction of a main road, the work on the section remains suspended since August. The Katra-Qazigund segment is the most difficult terrain of the project, consisting of large steep slopes intersected by a number of rivers. Besides geological challenges, climatic condition is also very severe in the area.
Though work was commenced more than four years ago, much progress could not be made due to repeated collapse of tunnels while cutting the mountains for the rail route.
Swiss Engineering consultants will do the feasibility study followed by a detailed study of the proposed new alignment and submit the report in December.
The next course of action will be decided after getting the report, said the official.
The Katra-Qazigund segment, part of the 292-km long Kashmir rail link project, is vital for Jammu and Kashmir as it is expected to boost the development and economy of the state. Completion of this project will expand transport facilities in the state. |
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