Bilaspur–Manali–Leh line

Bilaspur–Manali–Leh line
Overview
Status
  • Survey – done
  • Feasibility Report – done
  • Submission to Planning Commission for appraisal – done
  • Approval by Planning Commission – yes
  • Land Acquisition – no
  • Construction – no
Locale Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, India
Termini Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
Leh
Services Bilaspur–Mandi–Manali–Kullu–Keylong–Leh
Website http://www.indianrailways.gov.in
Technical
Line length 498 km (309 mi)
Track length 498 km (309 mi)
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Highest elevation 5,359 m (17,582 ft) at Tanglangla
Route map
Bilaspur-Mandi-Leh line
To Srinagar (planned)
0 Leh
Choglamshahr
Sindhughat
Shey
Thicksey
Rabirpora
Chang-Karu
Upshi-Junction
Rumtse
Taglang La
Debring
Pang
Lachalungla
Sarchu
Baralachala
Dharcha
Jispa
Keylong
Tandi
Sissu
Rohtang Hault
Manali
Naggar
Kullu
Bhuntar
Aut
Pandoh
To Joginder Nagar
Mandi-Junction
Bilaspur-Junction

Bilaspur–Manali–Leh line is a proposed high-elevation all-weather 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge railway track that is planned to connect Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir state of India.[1][2] It would link to the Indian railway network via an extension of the Kangra Valley Railway to Mandi, which would be converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge.[3][4]

The total expected length of Bilaspur–Manali–Leh line is 498 km (309 miles). It would become the highest railway track in the world, overtaking the current record of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.[5] The Railway Budget 2011-2012 announced that the project would be taken up in the next year's budget.[6] The next year's Railway Budget announced that the project was sent to the Planning Commission for appraisal.[7][8] As of September 2016, Northern Railways has begun the process of acquiring land for setting up office in Leh.[9]

History

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh asked the Government of India to extend railway connectivity from Bilaspur to Leh through Mandi, Manali and Keylong. This would increase tourism in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh and facilitate quicker movement of troops and equipment.[1][2] Following an examination of the feasibility report for the proposed Bilaspur–Manali–Leh line, the Union Railway Ministry of India forwarded the recommendation to the Planning Commission of India for its approval.[8] The survey for the project had been done and presently it is seeking approval of the planning commission of India and while railway minister assured about early clearance of this project.

Strategic importance

Once this railway line is completed, Leh will be directly connected to Himachal Pradesh and the rest of India by railway. The distance between Bilaspur and Leh will be about 500 km (310 mi). When the railway lines to Bilaspur and then to Leh are completed, the time taken to reach Leh from Delhi will be reduced to less than two days compared to about four days by the existing highway from Manali. Personnel and equipment will be transported more easily to Leh, a strategic military base. This is one of the four important railway connectivity along China border identified by the Defence Ministry.[10]

Challenges

Indian Railways has estimated that the entire project is estimate to cost INR 22,318 Crore.[9] The railways are short of funds to the extent of more than four hundred billion rupees for the existing projects in hand as of 2013.

The Bhanupalli (Punjab) to Bilaspur rail link is currently under construction but almost no progress was made as of 2013. There has been a demand to lay the railway line to Bilaspur from Kalka railhead instead of laying it from Bhanupalli. Therefore, the alignment and the fate of the proposed railway line to Leh is very uncertain.

After Jammu–Baramulla line, Bilaspur–Manali–Leh line will be the most challenging railway project in Indian Railways due to high mountains, a large number of tunnels and high bridges and severe cold weather. According to the survey report, cost of construction of this 498 km (309 mi) long all weather broad gauge railway line has been calculated at Rs 22,831 crore with a negative rate of return of 4.46%.[11]

Progress

The 498 km (309 mi) Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail project has been expedited and the Final Location Survey for this is been undertaken at a cost of Rs 345 crore. The railway had requested the LAHDC to provide adequate land for setting up a camp office, and the required infrastructure.[12] In April 2017, Government said that the Final location Survey (FSL) for these will be completed by the October 2020.[13] In June 2017, foundation stone was laid for final location survey by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.[14]

Taglang La railway station

Taglang La

Taglang La railway station at Taglang La is expected to become the highest railway station in the world at 5,359 m (17,582 ft) above the sea level overtaking the current record of Tanggula Railway Station in Qinghai, China at 5,086 m (16,686 ft).

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Himachal: Railways Awards Bhanupali-Bilaspur Railway Line Project". Nvonews.com. 19 September 2009. Archived from the original on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Rail link to Leh: Centre seeks Plan panel nod". visitladakh.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  3. ↑ Rail link to Leh: Centre seeks Plan panel nod
  4. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-train-journey-worth-making/article4870304.ece
  5. ↑ "When men defies his limits: Living in the altitude". SummitPost. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  6. ↑ http://www.india.gov.in/images/railbudget11-12.pdf
  7. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  8. 1 2 "'Manali–Leh railway line project report with Planning Commission". Himvani.com. 2010-12-26. Retrieved 2012-04-02.
  9. 1 2 "Railways seeks land at Leh to expedite rail link project". Retrieved 2016-09-04.
  10. ↑ "Four places along China border identified for rail connectivity: Government". The Economic Times. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  11. ↑ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-28/india/38877865_1_rail-line-nyoma-chushul
  12. ↑ Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line on fast track
  13. ↑ Centre announces final location survey of three railway lines in Arunachal Pradesh
  14. ↑ http://www.india.com/business/train-to-leh-ladakh-suresh-prabhu-lays-foundation-stone-for-bilaspur-mandi-leh-rail-line-to-be-built-at-a-cost-of-rs-157-cr-2275054/
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