After the significant
progress in the completion of the rail line in the state of Jammu &
Kashmir, the Indian Railways endeavours to extend the socio-economic benefits
of rail transportation to other remote areas and challenging terrains of the
hilly states (HP & J&K) where development is scarce. Amongst the
various socially desirable projects in the country, Bilaspur-Mandi-Leh Rail
Line (route length 498 Kms) constitutes great significance. The project is of
both strategic and economic, development and tourism importance, with its
unique distinction being the highest railway track in the world.
Minister for Railways
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu laid the foundation stone for the Final Location
Survey Of Bilaspur-Manali-Leh New Broad Gauge Line, at Leh today (27th
June 2017) in the august presence of distinguished guests on the occasion. Shri
R.K. Kulshrestha General Manager, Northern Railway and other Senior Railway
officials were also present in the function.
Leh is the most
important town in Ladakh region of J&K State having approximately 1.5 lakhs
population. It has a high footfall of Indian & Foreign tourists each year.
The district Leh is the second largest district in the country with elaborate
Army Establishments and is the Headquarter of 14 corps. The region being a cold
desert, the temperature during the winter months (Oct-Mar) plummets down to
well below freezing point. The road connectivity to this area is gets cut off
from other parts of country due to heavy snowfall, thus necessitating all
weather rail connectivity both for strategic as well as socio-economic needs.
In order to connect Leh
with a broad gauge railway line with the rest of the country, Indian Railway
have taken up Final Location Survey, a precursor to actual construction from
Bilaspur to Leh via Manali. The alignment shall connect Mandi, Kullu, Manali,
Keylong and other important towns of Himachal Pradesh & Jammu & Kashmir
states enroute. The line from Bilaspur shall be further connected to Bhanupali
between Anandpur Sahib and Nangal Dam.
The Proposed alignment
passes through the Shivalik, Great Himalayan & Zanskar Ranges, areas with
wide variation in height (600m to 5300 m above MSL) and Seismic zone IV and V
[ IS:1893(Part-I)-2002], necessitating building of large number of tunnels,
deep viaducts & bridges. The work of Final Location Survey has been
entrusted by Ministry of Railways to RITES Ltd and is planned to be completed
by March 2019 with an approximate cost of 157 crores.
Activities Involved for
the Survey:
State of Art
technologies are being employed to have a constructible, most economic, safe,
and all weather railway line.
●
Development
of corridors with different grades using Digital elevation Models, with
overlays for Geological Maps, Snow & Avalanche Studies, Hydrological &
Seismic Data using the latest software and selection of most optimum corridor.
●
Analysis
of the selected corridor and development of most suitable alignment.
●
Geological
and Geophysical investigations and design of bridges, tunnels & viaducts.
●
Marking
of central line of alignment on site.
●
Preparation
and submission of Detailed Project Report.
The construction of
railway line in such difficult and treacherous terrain would be a daunting
challenge for Indian Railways and would be an unmatched marvel globally once
completed.
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AKS/MKV/ENS