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The work of 287 kilometre long Udhampur-Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla new line is progressing in phases. On 25 kilometres long Udhampur-Katra section, earthwork, tunneling, major and minor bridge works are in progress. On 142 kilometre long Katra-Qazigund section, land acquisition has been completed and tunnelling work is in progress on first five kilometres. For the remaining section, land acquisition and detailed construction survey are in progress. Tunnelling work is in progress on 20 kilometre long section, where land is made available. As for 120 kilometre long Qazigund-Baramulla section, earthwork and bridge works are in progress.
The 287 kilometre long Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla broad gauge line project is a national project, funded by the General Exchequer outside the railway budget. The estimated cost of the project is Rs.5,000 crores. Rs.1286.43 crores has been incurred on this project till March, 2004. In the current financial year 2004-2005, a sum of Rs. 700 crores has been allocated for this project.
The project is likely to be delayed by a year or so, although the target fixed for full stretch completion is August 15, 2007.
Acquisition of land has thrown a major challenge for timely completion of this project. The matter is being pursued regularly with the State Government of Jammu & Kashmir to resolve land disputes and hand over the land to Railways free of all encumberances. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to step up security arrangement on the project alignment.
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