System Broad Gauge Services Srinagar–Kargil–Leh Locale Srinagar | Status Proposed Operator(s) Indian Railways | |
Stations Srinagar (Start) to Leh(End) Website | ||
The Srinagar Kargil Leh railway is a proposed railway line from Srinagar station via the town of Kargil to Leh by Indian Railways. The line was designated a national project on 26 February 2013
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The railway minister of India, Pawan Kumar Bansal announced that the survey of Srinagar Kargil Leh railway will be undertaken during the year 2013-14.
Strategic Importance
Once this railway line is completed, Leh will be directly connected to Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India by railway. The distance between Srinagar and Leh by road is about 422 km (262 mi). When the railway lines to Leh is completed, the time taken to reach Leh from Delhi will be reduced. It will provide safe and quick mode of public transport. Personnel and equipment will be transported more easily to Leh, a strategic military base.
Challenges
After the Konkan Railway and Kashmir Railway, the Srinagar–Kargil–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. However, it is uncertain when the construction would start, if at all.