Question : Rail Link between Kashmir with Rest of India

(a) whether it is a fact that rail link between Valley of Kashmir with the rest of India is yet a distant dream despite of work started on the specified project a long before and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the present status of the project and the time by which this project is likely to be completed;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal or has made a survey of Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch railway line in Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley areas of Jammu & Kashmir; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) and (b) With a view to provide an alternative and a reliable transportation system to Jammu & Kashmir, Govt. of India planned a 326 Km long Railway line joining the Kashmir Valley with the Indian railways network. Out of 326 Km, Baramulla to Banihal (136 km) and from Jammu to Katra (79 Km) have been completed and commissioned. Katra-Banihal (111 km) work has been taken up.

(c) and (d) Survey for Jammu to Poonch (223 km) was completed in September, 2017. As per survey report, cost of the project is 22771.55 crore with ROR (-) 4.54%. The survey report examination has been taken up.

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