NEW DELHI: The proposed railway line connecting Jammu with Poonch via Akhnoor and Rajouri has been assessed at an estimated cost of Rs 22,771 crore, according to information provided by the government in response to a parliamentary question. However, the project faces uncertainty due to low traffic projections, raising concerns over its viability.
The details were shared by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha. The minister confirmed that a survey for the 223-km railway line was conducted, but its implementation is subject to multiple factors, including economic viability, last-mile connectivity, and overall funding availability. The government did not specify a timeline for the project’s approval or completion.
The government reiterated that railway infrastructure projects are undertaken based on their remunerativeness, socio-economic impact, and strategic importance, particularly in hilly and border areas. The Jammu-Poonch rail link has been under discussion for several years, with stakeholders emphasising its potential benefits for regional connectivity and economic development.
Meanwhile, the 272-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which connects Jammu with Srinagar, has been completed, covering districts such as Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, and Baramulla. The completion of this major project underscores the government’s commitment to railway expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, though the fate of the Jammu-Poonch link remains uncertain amid financial and logistical considerations.
