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Report No. 19 of 2012 - Performance Audit on Rail Links to Kashmir in Indian Railways Union Government, Railways

Date on which Report Tabled:
Thu 20 Dec, 2012
Date of sending the report to Government
Government Type
Union
Union Department
Railways
Sector Transport & Infrastructure

Overview

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullci-Rail Link (USBRL) project is perhaps the most important and also the most challenging project taken up by the Indian Railways since Independence. The strategic importance of the project to the State of Jammu and Kashmir and to the nation as a whole cannot be over-stated, and this has been recognised as such by no less than the Hon 'ble Prime Minister, when he declared this to be a project of 'National Importance'.

This project is expected to bring about socio-economic development of the State of Jammu and Kashmir through enhanced connectivity within the region and with rest of the country. The project was envisaged to provide an efficient all weather transportation channel that could function in adverse weather conditions and reduce the travel time to various destinations in and outside the valley considerably.

The project is very challenging, considering that the terrain is difficult and hostile, the weather conditions are tough, the security situation in the Valley is sensitive and the logistics support is not really the best. Also, this is the first time that the Indian Railways has taken up the construction of an entirely new line in an area which has not been mapped properly, does not have approach roads and where it would be difficult to transport the required construction material, tracks and other equipment.

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