World|Events|News|Facts|Blogs|Information|

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of the upcoming 10.96-km Pir Panchal rail tunnel, which is set to become the world’s longest railway tunnel.

Considered the longest in the Indian Railway network, the tunnel from Banihal in the Jammu region to Lower Munda in the Kashmir Valley is estimated to cost Rs.24 billion (Rs.2,400 crores). About 95 per cent of the work is complete and around Rs.22 billion has been spent.

Railways to set up 3 wagon repair centers

The railway project comprises three sections – Udhampur-Katra, Katra-Qazigund and Qazigund-Baramulla, taken up at a cumulative cost of Rs.110 billion (Rs.11,000 crores).

The Qazigund-Baramulla section in the valley will have 15 stations and the Srinagar (Nowgam) station is billed to be, architecturally and aesthetically, the most beautiful station of the Indian Railways.

After the aerial survey, Vohra reviewed the progress of the Jammu and Kashmir railway project at a meeting of officers here.

When he asked about the job opportunities the project would provide to Kashmiri youth, Northern Railway authorities told Vohra that once completed, it would generate direct employment for 3,900 people in the valley, apart from many opportunities for indirect employment.

Railway officials told the governor that appointment letters had already been issued to 120 candidates, who were now undergoing training in different parts of the country.

Vohra was informed that a trial run on the Kakapora-Pampore-Nowgam-Badgam track in the Qazigund-Baramula section had already been conducted. The train has air-conditioned coaches with heating system and push-back seats.

The Katra-Qazigund segment of the project will have the third highest bridge in the world over the Chenab river at Arnas in Jammu region. The special feature of this section is that 80 per cent of the 148-km track would be covered by tunnels and 12 per cent by bridges, thus leaving only eight per cent open.

For ensuring adequate security for the railway project, the state government Wednesday sanctioned the appointment of 2,637 security personnel.