New Delhi, Jul 23: The Central government has officially declared two railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir as ‘Special Railway Projects’, paving the way for accelerated execution in the strategically sensitive region.
The Ministry of Railways issued the notification earlier this month under the Railways (Amendment) Act, 2008, according to an official order. The projects include doubling of the 73.5-km Qazigund–Srinagar–Budgam section and a new 40.2-km Broad Gauge line from Baramulla to Uri, both on the Jammu Division of Northern Railway.
The special project status, conferred under Clause (37A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989, is expected to streamline land acquisition and expedite clearances, officials said. The Uri-Baramulla link is particularly significant given its location near the Line of Control (LoC), they added.
The notification, signed by Chief Administrative Officer (USBRL) Alok Misra, comes amid the government’s push to enhance connectivity in the Union Territory. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier informed Parliament that Detailed Project Reports for these lines were ready, though firm timelines for completion were not specified pending approvals from NITI Aayog and the Finance Ministry.
The development follows the recent commissioning of the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), which connected the Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country’s railway network. Officials said the new projects aim to build on this infrastructure push, improving movement of security forces, goods, and civilians in the region. (KNS)
