By SK.Vyas
LEH: After the significant progress in the completion of the rail line in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian Railways endeavors 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 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.The Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu laid the foundation stone for the Final Location Survey Of Bilaspur-Manali-Leh New Broad Gauge Line, at Leh June 27, 2017) in the august presence of Cheering Dorjay, Minister For Cooperatives And Ladakh Affairs, Govt. of J & K, Dr. Sonam Dawa Longo,CEC, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council &Thupstan Chhewang MP, Lok Sabha.Nawang Rigzin, MLA, J&K, Choudhary Vikram Randhawa, Member Legislative Council, J&K and Lt. Gen. PJS Pannu, (AVSM, VSM), General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Leh were the distinguished guests present on the occasion.R.K. Kulshrestha General Manager, Northern Railway, and other Senior Railway officials were also present in the function.
Speaking on the occasion, Prabhu stated that this rail development project receives special emphasis from the NDA government as it would provide logistics support and thus serve the strategic interests while alongside providing safer, reliable all-weather connectivity for Leh. The project would also spell a multiplier effect on the socio-economic development of Leh boosting opportunities for the lead tourism sector here.
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 is 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 getting cut off from other parts of the 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 has 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 en route. 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 the building of a 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 Rs. 157 crores.
Activities Involved in the Survey:
State of Art technologies is 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 the 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 will be an unmatched marvel globally once completed.
WEATHER RAIL CONNECTIVITY TO THE REMOTE REGIONS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND LEH