No Fixed Timeline for Rail Connectivity to Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal: Govt

No Fixed Timeline for Rail Connectivity to Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal: Govt

The Ministry of Railways has no fixed timeline to extend railway connectivity to the Chenab Valley, including Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and Padder, and to the Pir Panjal region, Parliament was informed in response to a question by Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo.

Replying in the Rajya Sabha on 13 February 2026, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared for the Qazigund–Srinagar–Budgam doubling (74 km), the Baramulla–Uri new line (40 km), and a third line between Jalandhar Cantt. and Jammu Tawi (211 km).

He said a Final Location Survey has also been conducted for a proposed Udhampur/Katra–Doda–Bhaderwah new line, including a Doda/Prem Nagar–Kishtwar stretch of about 224 km. The survey indicated low traffic projections for the proposed route.

The Minister stated that, after preparation of DPRs, project sanction requires consultations with stakeholders, including State Governments, and approvals such as appraisal by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance, along with statutory environmental and forest clearances. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines for operational connectivity cannot be fixed.

He added that sanction of any railway project depends on multiple factors, including anticipated traffic projections and financial viability, first- and last-mile connectivity, completion of missing links, capacity augmentation of congested lines, demands from governments and public representatives, operational requirements, socio-economic considerations and overall availability of funds.