GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2976
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

RAILWAY NETWORK IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

2976. SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:
SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the steps taken to extend the Indian Railways network
in Jammu and Kashmir and the manner in which the said expansion is
benefiting local communities and businesses ;

(b) whether improved passenger services and facilities introduced by

Indian Railways in Jammu and Kashmir is enhancing the travel
experience of residents and tourists alike , if so, the details thereof;

(c) the role of the Indian Railways in promoting tourism in Jammu and
Kashmir by attracting visitors to the region and boosting its economy;

(d) the measures taken for ensuring safety on railway routes in Jammu
and Kashmir for the convenience of passengers;

(e) the details of the progress and current status of the Udhampur-
Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project; and

(f) the details of budget allocated and spent along with the extent of
work completed on the said project since its approval?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 2976 BY SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL, SHRI BIDYUT
BARAN MAHATO AND SHRI JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA TO BE ANSWERED IN
LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2023 REGARDING RAILWAY NETWORK IN JAMMU AND
KASHMIR

(a) to (f) : The work of the new line in Jammu & Kashmir is being undertaken

under Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project. Out of the

total 272 Km of Udhampur Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL), 161

KM has already been commissioned. The work of Katra-Banihal(111 km)

section has been taken up. Anticipated cost of the project is ₹37,012/- crore,

against which, expenditure of ₹34,261/- crore has been incurred up to March,

2023 on the project. An Outlay of ₹5,310 crore has been allocated for the year

2023-24.

The USBRL project is, perhaps, the most difficult new railway line project

undertaken in the country post-independence. The terrain passes through

young Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous

problems. This section predominantly involves tunnelling i.e. 97.42 Km out of

111 Km (i.e. 87%) of length of Katra-Banihal section is in tunnels and

maximum length of tunnel T-49 is 12.77 Km, which will be longest

transportation railway tunnel in the country. Railway has made the world’s

highest Railway Bridge over Chenab river in Reasi District of Jammu &

Kashmir. The iconic Chenab Bridge is 1315 m long having Arch span of 467 m

and height of 359 m above river bed. Indian Railway's first cable stayed bridge

has been constructed over AnjiKhad. Its bridge deck is 331m above the river

bed level and height of its Main pylon is 193m.

In addition of above, Final Location Survey (FLS) of following lines have been

sanctioned:

i. Doubling of Baramulla-Banihal section (135.5km)

ii. New Line of Baramulla-Uri (50km)
iii. New Line of Sopore-Kupwara (33.7km)
iv. New Line of Awantipora-Shopian (27.6km)
v. New Line of Anantnag-Bijbehara-Pahalgam (77.5km)
The USBRL Project has made substantial socio-economic contributions to the

region, with employment generation being a significant aspect of its impact.

The project has generated more than 553 lacs man-days of indirect

employment so far.

Another crucial facet of the USBRL Project’s socio-economic development

efforts has been the construction of over 215 km of approach roads, which

include construction of a tunnel and 320 small bridges.

At present, 9 pairs of trains are running over Kashmir valley section due to

which travel time of passengers has been reduced and travel experience has

also become more comfortable than bus services. The passenger services and

facilities are being improved by major redevelopment of Jammu Tawi railway

station. To enhance travel experience of passengers, a Vistadome coach is

attached to a special train being run over Kashmir Valley. A Guest House

operated by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited is

available at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station. Catering services to

the passengers travelling in trains are provided through pantry cars /mini

pantry, train side vending and static units at en-route stations. In addition to

this, passengers also have the facility to order food of their choice through e-

catering services which are available at major en- route stations.

To promote rail based tourism, Indian Railways have issued the 'Bharat

Gaurav Trains' policy in November' 2021, under which theme based tourist

circuit trains are being run with the objective to showcase India's rich cultural

heritage and magnificent historical places. As per this policy, service

providers have full flexibility to decide the themes/itineraries for operation of

Bharat Gaurav tourist circuit trains which may include tourist circuits of any

part of India including Jammu and Kashmir based on market demand,

commercial viability etc.

In accordance with international norms, adequate safety provisions have been

kept in the USBRL project. All tunnels having length more than 2 Km have

been provided with mechanical ventilation systems to ensure air quality as

per international norms.

Firefighting system comprising of fire hydrants and fire extinguishers, to

promptly address and contain potential fire incidents has been provided in all

the tunnels. Proper access roads have been constructed to all escape tunnels

and adits.

Railway has taken various steps for ensuring safety on Railway routes through

safety drives, safety audits, safety inspections, counselling of road user,

distributing pamphlets, conducting nukkad nataks, safety seminars and

sending SMS on the mobile phone of the public regarding awareness about

railway safety. Trains plying between Baramulla and Banihal are being

escorted by RPF staff.

Annual budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling

fully/partly in Jammu & Kashmir is as under:-

Increase w.r.t. average

Period Budget Outlay
allocation of 2009-14
2009-14 ₹1044 Cr./Yr -
2023-24 ₹ 6003 Cr. More than 5 times

The completion of any Railway project(s) depends on various factors like

quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of

forest department, deposition of cost by State Government in Cost sharing

projects, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various

authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order

situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for

particular project site due to climatic considerations etc.

Various steps being taken by the Government for effective and speedy

implementation of rail projects include (i) setting up of Gati Shakti Directorate

in the Ministry and Gati Shakti units in field, (ii) prioritisation of projects, (iii)

substantial increase in allocation of funds, (iv) delegation of powers at field

level, (v) close monitoring of progress of project at various levels (vi) regular

follow up with State Governments and concerned authorities for expeditious

land acquisition, forestry and Wildlife clearances and for resolving other

issues pertaining to projects. The expansion of the rail line in Jammu and

Kashmir is benefiting the local community and businesses by improving

transportation and connectivity, boosting tourism, and facilitating the

movement of goods and services. It's a positive development for the region.

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