Bilaspur–Leh line

Bilaspur–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 union territory of India.[1][2] It would link to the Indian railway network via an extension of the 62 km long under-construction railway line from Bhanupali to Bilaspur. Bhanupali is the railway station on existing Ambala-Sirhind-Una section of Northern railway.

Bilaspur–Leh line
Overview
Status
  • Survey – done
  • Feasibility Report – done
  • Submission to Planning Commission for appraisal – done
  • Approval by Planning Commission – yes
  • Land Acquisition – In progress
  • Construction – no
LocaleHimachal Pradesh and Ladakh, India
TerminiBilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
Leh, Ladakh
Websitehttp://www.indianrailways.gov.in
Service
ServicesBilaspur–Sundernagar–Manali–Kullu–Keylong–Leh
Technical
Line length458 km (285 mi)
Track length458 km (285 mi)
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrificationproposed
Highest elevation5,359 m (17,582 ft) at Taglang La
Route map
Srinagar (planned)
 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
Joginder Nagar (planned)
 Mandi
 Bilaspur
↑planned
 Kalka
to Lucknow

The total expected length of Bilaspur–Leh line is 458 km (285 miles). It would become the highest railway track in the world, overtaking the current record of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway.[3] The Railway Budget 2011-2012 announced that the project would be taken up in the next year's budget.[4] The next year's Railway Budget announced that the project was sent to the Planning Commission for appraisal.[5][6] As of September 2016, Northern Railways has begun the process of acquiring land for setting up office in Leh.[7]

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–Leh line, the Union Railway Ministry of India forwarded the recommendation to the Planning Commission of India for its approval.[6] 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 460 km (290 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.[8]

Post Galwan clash with China, The Government of India expedited the land acquisition for the project.[9]

Challenges

After Jammu–Baramulla line, Bilaspur–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 458 km (285 mi) long all weather broad gauge railway line has been calculated at ₹83,360 crore with a negative rate of return of 4.46%.[10]

Progress

The 458 km (285 mi) Bilaspur–Leh rail project has been expedited and the Final Location Survey for this is been undertaken at a cost of ₹345 crore. The railway had requested the LAHDC to provide adequate land for setting up a camp office, and the required infrastructure.[11] In April 2017, the Government said that the Final location Survey (FSL) for these will be completed by the October 2020.[12] In June 2017, foundation stone was laid for final location survey by then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.[13]

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
  • List of highest railway stations in the world

References
  1. "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. "Rail link to Leh: Centre seeks Plan panel nod". visitladakh.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  3. "When men defies his limits: Living in the altitude". SummitPost. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  4. http://www.india.gov.in/images/railbudget11-12.pdf
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "'Manali–Leh railway line project report with Planning Commission". Himvani.com. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  7. "Railways seeks land at Leh to expedite rail link project". Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  8. "Four places along China border identified for rail connectivity: Government". The Economic Times. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  9. Service, Tribune News. "Centre expedites land acquisition for Bilaspur-Leh railway line". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  10. http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/oct/18/railways-seeks-central-funding-for-bilaspur-leh-project-on-india-china-border-1886857.html
  11. Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line on fast track
  12. Centre announces final location survey of three railway lines in Arunachal Pradesh
  13. 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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