Srinagar: The Union Government has said that proposals to extend the Baramulla railway line to Kupwara and to construct a new rail link between Avantipore and Shopian have been dropped after being found technically infeasible.
Replying to separate questions in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said surveys and planning for both projects had been completed, but the proposals could not be taken forward due to feasibility constraints. The questions were raised by Member of Parliament Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan.
In a written reply, the Minister said a survey for a 34 kilometre Sopore to Kupwara new rail line, aimed at extending connectivity beyond the Srinagar Baramulla section, had been sanctioned and a Detailed Project Report prepared. However, the project was subsequently dropped after being assessed as infeasible.
Similarly, a survey for a 28 kilometre Avantipore, Kakapora to Shopian new line in Pulwama district was completed, but the project was also declared infeasible and dropped.
At the same time, the Ministry said Detailed Project Reports have been prepared for other rail infrastructure works in the Kashmir Valley and border areas. These include doubling of the 118 kilometre Qazigund Srinagar Budgam section and construction of a new 40 kilometre rail line between Baramulla and Uri.
Vaishnaw said sanctioning of DPR based projects requires consultations with the Union Territory administration and approvals from bodies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. He added that as the process is continuous, specific timelines cannot be fixed.
The Minister also noted that objections had been raised in parts of Pulwama district over the proposed Avantipore Shopian alignment, citing concerns related to residential areas, horticultural land and environmental safety. With the project now dropped, it will not be pursued further.
The Railways highlighted the commissioning of the 272 kilometre Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link as a major achievement, providing all weather rail connectivity to the Valley. The project, the Ministry said, has generated over five crore man days of employment and is expected to support tourism and economic activity.
Separately, the Minister informed the House that progress is being made on a proposed metro or metro like urban transit system for Jammu, with a special train design prepared to suit local terrain and climatic conditions.
The Ministry maintained that while some proposals have been dropped on technical grounds, planning for improved rail connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir continues, subject to detailed technical and financial scrutiny.
