SRINAGAR: The Union Government on Friday said proposals to extend the Baramulla railway line to Kupwara and to lay a new rail link between Avantipore and Shopian in south Kashmir have been dropped after both projects were found to be technically infeasible, even as Detailed Project Reports have been prepared for other new and upgraded railway lines in the Valley and adjoining border areas.
Replying to two separate questions 2 in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the House that while surveys and planning had been completed for the two proposed extensions, they would not proceed further.
The queries were raised by Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, who asked whether the government proposed to extend the Baramulla railway line up to Kupwara and further to Karnah to improve connectivity, strengthen the border economy and promote development in the far-flung region.
In a written statement laid on the Table of the House, the Minister said that to extend connectivity beyond the existing Srinagar–Baramulla section, a survey for a 34-km Sopore–Kupwara new line had been sanctioned and a Detailed Project Report prepared. However, he said, “the project has been dropped because it was found to be infeasible.”
Similarly, in Pulwama district, a survey for a 28-km Avantipore (Kakapora)–Shopian new line was completed, but the project was also assessed to be infeasible and therefore dropped.
At the same time, the Ministry said it has prepared Detailed Project Reports for other rail infrastructure works intended to improve connectivity in the Kashmir Valley and the border belt. These include doubling of the 118-km Qazigund–Srinagar–Budgam section and construction of a 40-km new line between Baramulla and Uri.
Vaishnaw said that after preparation of DPRs, sanctioning of projects requires consultations with various stakeholders, including the Union Territory administration, and approvals such as appraisal by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. As the process is continuous and dynamic, he added, exact timelines cannot be fixed.
The Minister’s reply also addressed concerns raised in Pulwama, where residents of villages including Kangan, Babhar, Sona Samil and Arabal had reportedly objected to the proposed alignment, citing risks to residential habitations, horticultural land and environmental safety. With the project now declared infeasible, it will not be taken forward.
The Railways, meanwhile, highlighted the commissioning of the 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), describing it as a major milestone for the region. The project connects the districts of Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam and Baramulla and has already provided all-weather rail access to the Valley. According to the Ministry, the USBRL has generated over five crore man-days of employment and is expected to contribute significantly to tourism and economic activity.
Separately, Vaishnaw informed the House that progress is being made on a proposed metro or metro-like urban transit system for Jammu. He said a special train design suited to high-altitude terrain and climatic conditions has been prepared and discussions would be held with the concerned ministry to take the proposal forward.
Political reactions have also emerged over railway alignments in the Valley. Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti recently wrote to the Railway Minister welcoming the decision to keep certain projects in abeyance and urging that future lines be realigned through barren land rather than orchards. She said agriculture and horticulture sustain a large share of the population and called for planning that protects fertile land and livelihoods.
The Railways maintained that while some proposals have been dropped on feasibility grounds, planning for improved connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir continues, with DPR-based projects to be considered for approval after due technical and financial scrutiny.
