Bilaspur–Mandi–Leh railway

The Bilaspur–Manali–Leh railway is a proposed high-elevation all-weather Indian broad-gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) 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 broad gauge.^[3]

The total expected length of Bilaspur–Mandi–Leh railway is almost 500 km (310 miles). It would become the highest railway track in the world, overtaking the current record of China's Qinghai–Tibet Railway.^[4] The Railway Budget 2011-2012 announced that the project would be taken up in the next year's budget.^[5] The next year's Railway Budget announced that the project was sent to the Planning Commission for appraisal.^[6][7]

[ v t e ] Bilaspur-Mandi-Leh Railway route map
0 Leh Choglamshahr Sindhughat Shey Thicksey Rabirpora Chang-Karu Upshi-Junction Rumtse Tanglangla Debring Pang Lachalungla Sarchu Baralachala Dharcha Jispa Keylong Tandi Sissu Rohtang Hault Manali Naggar Kullu Bhuntar Aut Pandoh Mandi-Junction Bilaspur-Junction

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–Mandi–Leh railway line, the Union Railway Ministry of India forwarded the recommendation to the Planning Commission of India for its approval.^[7] 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.

Uncertainty due to paucity of funds

Bhanupalli (Punjab) to Bilaspur rail link is currently under construction but hardly any funds have been allocated and almost no progress has been made by 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. The railways are short of funds to the extent of more than four hundred billion rupees for the existing projects in hand in year 2013.

Tanglangla station

Tanglang La Pass

Tanglangla station at Tanglang 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 China at 5,086 m (16,686 ft).

Challenge

After Konkan Railway and Kashmir Railway, Bilaspur–Mandi–Leh railway 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%.^[8] However, it is uncertain when the construction would start, if at all.

See also

• Srinagar-Kargil-Leh railway
• Jammu-Poonch railway
• List of highest railway stations in the world
• List of railway stations in India
• List of countries by rail transport network size
• Northeast Frontier Railway zone

References

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