New Delhi
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told Parliament on Wednesday that the estimated cost of Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line will be Rs 1.31 lakh crore. This rail route will also connect Kargil, which will strengthen the connectivity of this region.
Important railway project for Ladakh
In response to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Railway Minister said that a detailed project report (DPR) of this project has been prepared. He said, “This railway line will also come in Ladakh region and it has been marked by the Ministry of Defense as a strategic project. The survey for this 489 km long railway project has been completed and now further process will begin. ”
Why didn’t Srinagar-Kargil-Leh railway line be built?
Earlier, work on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh railway project was also started. It was 480 km long and its estimated cost was Rs 55,896 crore. It was surveyed in the year 2016-17 but was not carried forward in view of the possibility of low traffic.
Strategic and big step in terms of development
Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line is considered very important in both defense and development. This project will not only improve the connectivity of Ladakh and Kargil but will also make traffic and supply easier for the people and the army.