82 percent of roads along China border unfinished

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
07-June, 2017 20:03 IST
NHAI working on widening NH-21 : Project to cut journey time to Kullu-Manali, Leh, bring prosperity to Himachal

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the four laning of Pandoh Bypass to Takoli' section of National Highway (NH)-21 in Himachal Pradesh. This is a sub project of the National Highways Authority of India’s larger project for four laning of NH-21 from Kiratpur in Punjab to Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The other four sub– projects of this project include Kiratpur-Nerchowk, Nerchowk-Pandoh, Takoli-Kullu and Kullu-Manali. Work on three of the sub-projects is already going on, and is likely to start shortly for the fourth sub project. Completion of all five sub projects will provide all weather connectivity to important tourist destinations like Kullu and Manali and further upto Leh.

The cost of the Pandoh-Takoli sub project approved today is estimated to be Rs.2775.93 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 19 kms.

This work will be done under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase IV B on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

The four laning of NH 21 from Kiratpur to Manali will provide all weather connectivity to important tourist destinations i.e. Kullu & Manali and further upto Leh. This will help in reduction in accidents and saving of precious human lives due to construction of tunnels in the accident prone land slide areas. The distance from Kiratpur to Manali will get reduced by 38 km, resulting in a time saving of approximately three hours. This will result in huge saving in terms of fuel consumption and wear and tear cost of vehicles.The project will generate huge employment to the locals residing along the project length which will also help them in getting in job opportunities in future. It has been estimated that a total number of 4,076 mandays are required for construction of one kilometre of highway. As such, employment potential of 77,000 (approx.) mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of the Pandoh-Takoli section alone. The completion of the project will bring all round development and prosperity in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

NHAI is also executing the four laning of NH-22 from Parwanoo to Shimla (including Shimla Bypass). The length of this project is 89.71 km and the cost is Rs. 2739 cr. The work has already been started in the stretch from Parwanoo to Solan. The project construction from Solan to Shimla is likely to commence shortly.

The DPR preparations for four laning of following projects have also been undertaken by the NHAI:


Sl No.
Section of NH
Stretch in km.
Approximate cost of project.

1
HP/Punjab border to Mandi
km 11.00 to km 208.00
(Length: 197 km)
Rs.4432.50 cr.

2
Pinjor Bypass –Nalagarh
km 00.00 to km 35.00
(35 km)
Rs.405.00 cr.

3
Shimla –Mataur
km 0.00 to km 223.070
(Length: 223.070 km)
Rs.4905 cr.


The construction of above projects will help uplift the socio-economic condition of this region of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It will further enhance the employment potential for the local labourers for the project activities in highways and tunnel constructions.


*****

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)
07-June, 2017 13:56 IST
Cabinet approves development of four laning from end of Pandoh bypass to Takoli section of National Highway (NH) - 21 in Himachal Pradesh

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for development of four laning from 'end of Pandoh Bypass to Takoli' section of National Highway (NH)-21 in Himachal Pradesh.

The cost is estimated to be Rs.2775.93 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 19 kms.

This work will be done under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase IV B on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

The project will help in expediting the improvement of infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh and in reducing the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying between ‘end of Pandoh Bypass to Takoli' section. The development of this stretch will also help in uplifting the socio-economic condition of this region in the State.

It would also increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities. It has been estimated that a total number of 4,076 mandays are required for construction of one kilometre of highway. As such, employment potential of 77,000 (approx.) mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of this stretch.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
08-June, 2017 13:46 IST
Meeting of Union Home Minister with CMs of Indo Myanmar Border States

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh will chair a review meeting on Indo- Myanmar Border issues on June 12, 2017 at Aizawl, Mizoram.

The Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram are attending the review meeting to discuss the status of border infrastructure along the Indo-Myanmar border, implementation of Border Area Development Programme (BADP) Projects, streamlining the Free Movement Regime (FMR) for better facilitation of movement of people across the border, works relating to boundary survey and other co-ordination issues between the States and the Border Guarding Force, Assam Rifles.

The Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police (DGPs) of the respective states and Director General, Assam Rifles including senior officials from the concerned central ministries will be present in the meeting.

****

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/rajnath-singh-to-chair-meeting-on-india-myanmar-border-2013342.html

Aizawl: Home Minister Rajnath Singh will meet the Chief Ministers of four northeastern states bordering Myanmar here on Monday to review the security situation and will also visit the border areas by chopper, an official said.

The Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh (Pema Khandu), Nagaland (Shurhozelie Liezietsu), Manipur (N. Biren Singh) and Mizoram (Lal Thanhawla) will be attending the review meeting to discuss the status of infrastructure along the India-Myanmar border, a Home Ministry official said.

Issues like implementation of Border Area Development Programme (BADP) projects, streamlining the Free Movement Regime (FMR) for better facilitation of movement of people across the border, works relating to boundary survey and other co-ordination issues between the states and the border guarding force, Assam Rifles, would also be discussed.


Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police (DGPs) of the respective states and Director General of Assam Rifles Lt General Shokin Chauhan, including senior officials from the concerned central ministries, will also be present in the meeting.

"The Union Home Minister would be visiting Myanmar border areas by helicopter on Tuesday. The Minister would also interact with senior Assam Rifles officers on the prevailing situation along the India-Myanmar frontier," the official added.

Last month, around 280 people from Myanmar`s Ralie village in Arakan took shelter at Lungpuk and Khalkhy mountainous villages in Saiha district of southern Mizoram.

Assam Rifles troopers posted along the Myanmar border areas and the Saiha district administration provided necessary aid and support, including food, to the refugees who were subsequently repatriated.

"The India-Myanmar unfenced borders along Mizoram are being frequently used by smugglers to smuggle drugs, arms and contraband from Myanmar," the official said.

Mizoram shares an unfenced 510-km border with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh, providing infiltrators, terrorists and smugglers an opportunity to illegally move across the border.

There is a 16-km-wide free zone (8 km on either side of the frontier) along the 1,643-km unfenced India-Myanmar border.

Four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km) -- share the 1,643-km mountainous border with Myanmar.

 

[Hindustani78]

A helicopter carrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking off from the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...pter-crashes-in-badrinath/article18954543.ece
The helicopter carrying pilgrims was on its way from the Himalayan shrine to Haridwar.
A crew member was killed and two pilots were injured when an eight-seater helicopter carrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking off from the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand on Saturday. All the five passengers were safe.

An official at the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in Delhi that an engineer, part of the crew, died.

Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt told PTI on the phone that the engineer Vikram Lamba, who hailed from Assam, was hit by rotor blades as he jumped mid-air in panic.

Air pressure low
The police officer said the helicopter lost its balance as it took off at 7.45 a.m. because of insufficient air pressure and fell.

The pilot, Sanjay Waze, complained of slight backache, while co-pilot Alka Shukla, a resident of Kanpur, suffered minor injury.

The passengers who sustained minor injuries have been identified as Jashodaben, Naveen Bhai Patel, Leela Ben Patel, Harish Bhai and Ramesh Bhai. They were from Vadodara in Gujarat, and they had left for their destinations, the police officer said.


The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to the Mumbai-based private operator Krestal Aviation, was on its way from Badrinath shrine to Haridwar.

Probe ordered
Teams of the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have rushed to the spot. The AAIB will probe the accident, a senior DGCA official said.

Officials informed that the DGCA has been informed of the accident. DGCA Chief Secretary S. Ramaswamy has ordered a magisterial probe.

Commissioner of the Garhwal region, Vinod Sharma, informed that Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Joshimath had been assigned the probe.

(With inputs from IANS)

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
12-June, 2017 18:51 IST
Union Home Minister chairs meeting to review Indo-Myanmar border issues

A Committee for identification of gaps in border areas facilities to be set up

Uniform and effective implementation of Free Movement Regime by all States along Indo-Myanmar border

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of Indo-Myanmar Border States at Aizawl, Mizoram today. He said that the Government is committed to fast-track development of the North-Eastern region and steady progress in infrastructure development has been made here in various sectors including inter and intra-regional road, rail and air connectivity, power, education, health and setting up institutions of excellence and research in various fields. Shortly North-East will have a string of modern cities under Smart City project, the Home Minister added.

Shri Rajnath Singh informed that to address specific developmental needs of border areas along international boundaries, allocation under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) to 17 border states was Rs. 990 cr in 2016 – 2017 which has been raised to Rs. 1100 cr. in 2017 – 2018 and the States of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh were released Rs. 567.39 cr during the last 3 years. For integrated development of 41 Model Villages, Rs. 92.39 cr were released in the last financial year, which included 3 villages in Manipur and 1 village in Nagaland. He said that for strengthening infrastructure in Indo-Myanmar Border, Assam Rifles has given a proposal for construction of roads and airports facilities for their operational requirement.

The Home Minister stressed that the well being of people living in border areas and addressing their basic needs is crucial. He advised the State Governments to pay special attention to the urgent need of improving basic facilities and infrastructure like roads, power, telecommunication, health and education etc. for people in these remotely located areas. He ordered setting up of a committee under the chairmanship of Secretary Border Management for identification of gaps in the facilities in these areas and to prioritize them for filling them up in short term (3 years), medium term (3-6 years) and long term (6-10 years). The committee has also been tasked to find out and pool all the resources and dovetail all programmes of various Ministries of Government of India including those of North-Eastern Council, Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) and BADP and also those of the respective state Governments for achieving these objectives. The committee is required to submit detailed report before December 31, 2017.

Greater connectivity within the region and with our neighbours is likely to give impetus to enhanced movement of goods, services and people across the border, the Home Minister said. Improved connectivity and relations with Myanmar are opening new opportunities of growth of this region and Indo-Myanmar border region will be playing a much greater role in near future and therefore, the Centre and the States must be adequately prepared for it, he advised.

About the Internal Security perspective, the Home Minister said that although Myanmar border is peaceful and friendly yet it is very sensitive. The Home Minister mentioned that India’s 1643 kms border with Myanmar, touching four states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram is unique in many ways. It has a visa-free movement regime for the people living within 16 kms on either side of the border. They can stay up to 72 hrs with effective and valid permits issued by the designated authorities on either side. This regime has been in place keeping in view the traditional social relations among the border people. It helps genuine people living in the close proximity of the border. However, it is misused by militants and criminals who smuggle weapons, narcotics, contraband goods and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). With fast improving security situation in this region, militants are denied hideouts here and some of them have relocated themselves across the border. Taking advantage of the free-movement regime occasionally they enter India, commit crimes and escape to their relatively safer hide-outs, the Home Minister added.

For preparing a standard operating procedures common for all the 4 states so that militants, criminals and contrabands are filtered at the border without causing inconvenience to genuine people, Shri Rajnath Singh decided to constitute a Committee headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs which will examine the present rules and regulations adopted by the Border States for implementation of free movement regime along with this border. The Committee will give report for uniform and effective implementation of free movement regime within 3 months.

Appreciating the role of Assam Rifles Shri Rajnath Singh said that they are performing their duties with unshakable courage, determination and skills. He urged upon the Chief Ministers to pay special attention to the local issues of border guarding forces to boost their morale and improve their efficiency.

Shri Rajnath Singh advised the State Governments to extend co-operation in the survey work for erection, construction of subsidiary pillars for removing differences of perception on ground of zero line and for understanding the boundary demarcation clearly.

The Home Minister directed that whatever construction work is required near the border, may be done leaving the 'No Construction Zone'. He solicited cooperation of Chief Ministers and local population for joint survey of border pillars on the Indo-Myanmar boundary.

Mentioning that there are over 240 villages with over 2.5 Lac people within 10 Km of the Indo-Myanmar border, Shri Rajnath Singh urged upon the Chief Ministers to bring these areas under active policing by opening police stations and police posts for re-assuring the people and also to prevent illegal cross-border activities.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, the Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram while Nagaland was represented by their Home Minister. The Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of the states concerned and senior officers of MHA, Assam Rifles, security agencies and the concerned central Ministries were also present.

****

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chairing a review meeting on Indo-Myanmar border issues, in Aizawl, Mizoram on June 12, 2017. The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Pu Lalthanhawla, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju are also seen.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chairing a review meeting on Indo-Myanmar border issues, in Aizawl, Mizoram on June 12, 2017. The Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Pu Lalthanhawla, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

Written by Samudra Gupta Kashyap | Guwahati | Published:June 12, 2017 8:02 pm

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh (PTI Photo)
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...velopment-in-northeast-rajnath-singh-4700670/



The BJP government at the Centre was committed to fast-tracking of development in the Northeastern region, especially in the border areas, and the on-going expansion of road and railway network in the region would be extended to areas along the international borders, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said in Aizawl.

“Our government is committed to fast-tracking of development in the North-eastern region. Work on road and rail network extension is going on. We want to extend these networks to border areas,” Singh said while making his opening remarks at a meeting on the Indo-Myanmar border attended by chief ministers of four Northeastern states in Aizawl. This was the first time that such a meeting was held in the Northeast to discuss issues related to the Indo-Mynamar border.

Describing the Indo-Myanmar border as unique in several aspects, Singh said that the Centre has been releasing funds for this border area without any hindrance. “The India-Myanmar border is unique in many ways. It has a visa-free movement regime for the people living within 16 km on either side. Four states that share international boundary with Myanmar have received Rs 567.39 crore under the Border Area Development programme in the past three years,” the Home Minister said.

Singh also praised the Assam Rifles – India’s oldest para-military force – for its role in guarding the 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border, and said the force has been performing its duty with courage and determination. The international border with Myanmar is highly porous, and cross-border movement of insurgents and smuggling of arms and ammunition have remained a major problem.

While three chief ministers – Pema Khandu of Arunachal Pradesh, N Biren Singh of Manipur and Lal Thanhawla of Mizoram – attended the meeting, Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie was represented by home and border affairs minister Y Patton. Chief secretaries and DGPs of the four states, the Assam Rifles Director-General and senior officials from the central ministries concerned were also present at the meeting.

Of the 1643 km of international border that India shares with Myanmar, the state-wise break-up is Arunachal Pradesh (440 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).

Other issues that came up in the discussions included streamlining the free movement regime for better facilitation of movement of people across the border, works relating to boundary survey and other co-ordination issues between the states and the Assam Rifles.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Railways

19-June, 2017 18:49 IST
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister of Railways, inaugurates various Railway related services in Odisha and Assam



Ø Hon’ble MR announced for opening of PRS counter at Kamakhya temple premises on 7.5.2017.This is non-rail head PRS with the assistance of Kamakhya Devottar Board cater to approximately catchment area of 5000 passengers.

Ø This is a location of tourist importance, lakh of devotees visit the shrine especially during Ambubushi Mela.

Ø At present, on Northeast Frontier Railway there are 249 locations where computerized reservation facility is available. After this, the figure will be 250 (including 115 locations in the State of Assam).


******

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Railways
23-June, 2017 14:58 IST
Railways continues its emphasis on improvement in Railways infrastructure in the North-eastern region

Ministry of Railways has been laying great emphasis on improvement in Railway infrastructure in the North-eastern region.

North Eastern Region is served by Northeast Frontier Railway consisting of 8 states i.e. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim.

Out of 8 States of North Eastern Region, rail network connectivity now exists in 7 States. For, Sikkim, the new line project Sivok-Rangpo (44 km) has been sanctioned.

First of all, entire metre-gauge section in North-east region has been fully converted into broad-gauge line.

In last 3 years, following major developments have taken place in North Eastern Region:

(i) Naharlagun which is 10 km short of Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, has been connected to the National Capital by a direct train.

(ii) With commissioning of Balipara-Bhalukpong line after gauge conversion, Arunachal Pradesh have been provided with second Broad Gauge connectivity.

(iii) Entire track on North Bank of Brahmaputra, running very close to Assam-Arunachal border, has been connected to Broad Gauge with commissioning of Rangiya-Murkongselek Broad Gauge line.

(iv) Meghalaya has been brought on railway map of the country with commissioning of Dudhnoi-Mendipathar railway line.

(v) With commissioning of Lumding-Silchar Broad Gauge line, the Barak Valley has been brought on Broad Gauge network of the country.

(vi) Agartala, the capital of Tripura has been brought on Broad Gauge network.

(vii) With commissioning of Gauge Conversion of Arunachal-Jiribam section, Manipur state has also been connected with Broad Gauge network.

(viii) With commissioning of Kathakal – Bhairabi Gauge conversion, the State of Mizoram has come on Broad Gauge network.

(ix) Around 900 km of Metre Gauge has been converted into Broad Gauge. Now, no metre gauge line exists in the North-eastern region.

(x) 29 new train services have been added in the North Eastern Region.

20 major railway projects consisting of 12 new lines and 4 doublings having aggregate length of 1664 km at a cost of `Rs. 43771 crore are in progress in North Eastern Region. An expenditure of `Rs. 7143 crore has been incurred on these projects during 2016-17 and residual liabilities of some completed projects. Rs. 5586 crore has been allotted for the works in North Eastern Region in Budget 2017-18. 3 New Lines having aggregate length of 186 km costing `Rs. 9279 crore and 2 Doublings having aggregate length of 17.3 km costing `Rs. 3944.32 crore and 18 surveys for New Lines have been included in Budget 2017-18.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Railways
27-June, 2017 17:58 IST
Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu Lays the Foundation Stone for Final Location Survey of Bilaspur-Manali-Leh New Broad Gauge Line Today

Proposed Line is to Provide all Weather Rail Connectivity to the Remote Regions of Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh


After the significant progress in the completion of the rail line in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian Railways endeavours 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 (route length 498 Kms) 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.

Minister for Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu laid the foundation stone for the Final Location Survey Of Bilaspur-Manali-Leh New Broad Gauge Line, at Leh today (27th June 2017) in the august presence of distinguished guests on the occasion. Shri R.K. Kulshrestha General Manager, Northern Railway and other Senior Railway officials were also present in the function.

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 being 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 gets cut off from other parts of 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 have 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 enroute. 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 building of 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 157 crores.

Activities Involved for the Survey:

State of Art technologies are 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 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 would be an unmatched marvel globally once completed.


*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Railways
29-June, 2017 15:39 IST
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister of Railways Lays The Foundation Stone For Five New Halt Stations Between Quazigund-Baramulla

Five New Halt Stations Include Sangdan, Monghall, Ratnipora, Nadigam & Razwan on Baramulla-Qazigund Rail Section





To cater to the public demand for new halt stations in the Kashmir Valley region, Hon’ble Minister for Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu laid the foundation stone for construction of five new halt stations viz.Sangdan, Monghall, Ratnipora, Nadigam & Razwan on the Baramulla-Qazigund Rail Section”at a ceremonial program held at Sher-i-Kashmir International, Conference Centre at Srinagar today (29th June 2017) in the august presence of Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Hon’ble Chief Minister, J&K Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister, J&K and Sh. Nazir Ahmed Laway, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha were the distinguished guests on the occasion. Shri R.K. Kulshrestha General Manager, Northern Railway and other Senior Railway officials were also present in the function.


The new halt stations between Baramula-Quazigund stations are: Sangdan (Quazigund-Sadura), Monghall (Sadura-Anantnag), Ratnipora (Awantipura-Kakapora), Nadigam and Razwan stations (Budgam-Mazhom). These halts would cater to the transportation needs of residents living in these areas.


The all-weather special DEMU trains in the Kashmir valley has become a veritable life-line to the residents providing mobility with convenience. On an average 25,000 passengers travel each day in these DEMUs with a corresponding tickets earnings accounting Rs. 3.5 lakh per day.

Background information of Railway Services in Kashmir Valley:



With a view to provide an alternative and a reliable mass transportation system to Jammu & Kashmir, Govt. of India planned a 326 km (later extended to cover 345 km) long Railway Line joining the Kashmir Valley with the Indian Railways network. The Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund-Baramulla rail line, a project of great importance for the local populace and the country as a whole, has been declared as “National Project”. This project is, perhaps, the most difficult new railway line project undertaken on Indian subcontinent. The terrain passes through the Himalayas, which are young fold mountains full of geographical surprises, high tectonic activity and extremely cold weather conditions.

The completion of Jammu-Udhampur railway link in 2005 spelled the dawn of new era in rail connectivity. The rail line in the Kashmir Valley was constructed in a phased manner with the Railway steadily commissioning rail sections between Anantnag-Mazahom in October 2008, the Mazahom-Baramulla section in February 2009 and the rest 18 km long section between Quazigund-Anantnag in October 2009 thus completing the 119 kilometre Qazigund-Baramulla railway line of the Kashmir Valley. The Railway since then is working steadily to complete the remaining of the 345 km long railway line. The Udhampur-Katra 25 km section was commissioned in July 2014 and the Katra-Banihal 111Km work is in progress (Target: March 2021).


This portion being constructed by Northern Railway, KRCL and IRCON will have 97.34 Km of Tunnels, 27 Major & 10 Minor Bridges and 203 Km of Access road. 45% of the work is complete with an expenditure of 9419 Crore. The USBRL Project is a culmination of a large number of Tunnels and Bridges, one of the most important and challenging being across the deep gorge of Chenab River near Salal Hydro Power Dam. This necessitated the construction of a long span bridge in the Seismeic Zone V. The total Length of the ‘Chenab Bridge’ is 1315 m having a design speed of 100 km and can withstand wind velocity upto 266 Kmph having a life span of 120 years. The Bridge is made up of steel arches and is aesthetically designed using local expertise and construction material. The height of the bridge is 359 m which is about 35 m taller than Eiffel Tower in Paris. When complete this will be the highest railway bridge in the world.


As part of the project to knit the zone of Jammu with the Kashmir valley which is separated through the majestic Pir Panjal mountain range, Indian Railway had earlier constructed the 11.21 Km long ‘Tunnel T-80’. This is the longest transportation tunnel in Asia. The existing stations that lie in the Banihal-Baramula section include Banihal, Shahabad Halt, Qazigund, Sadura, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Panjgam, Awantipora, Kakapora, Pampore, Srinagar, Budgam, Mazhom, Pattan, Hamre, Sopore and Baramulla. 15 pairs of DEMU services ply on the rail section providing all-weather connectivity in this region. Additional DEMUs were introduced in July 2015 and later Fast DEMUs for convenience of office-goers and students were put into service in May 2016 between Banihal-Baramula and Baramula-Budgam. Vadi Ki Sair-a Children Special train was introduced between Banihal to Baramulla from 26.11.2016, which now runs on every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.


…………………..

 

[nang2]

Ha, now I understand why Indian troops want to block road construction on China side.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister for Roads & Bridges of Nagaland, Shri Y. Vikheho Swu calling on the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in New Delhi on July 05, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari briefing the media on the Cabinet approval for upgradation and widening of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur & other projects, in New Delhi on July 12, 2017.

The Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari briefing the media on the Cabinet approval for upgradation and widening of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur & other projects, in New Delhi on July 12, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
18-July, 2017 14:19 IST
Construction of Rail Over Bridges under Setu Bharatam Project in Rajasthan

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya informed that a total of 10 Rail Over Bridges (ROB) / Bridges have been identified for construction in Rajasthan under Setu Bharatam. The ROBs under Setu Bharatam are targeted for construction by 2019. One ROB amounting to Rs. 25.74 crores has been sanctioned in the current financial year.

*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
20-July, 2017 18:27 IST
Rs 19,000 crores invested on National Highways in the North East

An investment of Rs.14,916 crore under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) and Rs.4,095 crore under National Highway (Original) were made during the last two years for strengthening the road infrastructure in the north eastern region of the country.

The roads under SARDP-NE were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs while the development of highways under NH (O) are taken up on the basis of inter-se priority, traffic volume and availability of funds.

This information was given by Minster of State for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

*****