Srinagar: It is a dream turned sour for the railway ministry ---the ambitious project of taking the train to Kashmir, cutting across the Pir Panjal range, seems to be falling apart.
The railways had suspended work on the 125km Katra -Qazigund link for the last six months, arguing that the alignment is unsafe and prone to tectonic movements.
But this decision comes after five years of work and nearly Rupees 2,000 crores of investment.
Now the question is if the existing alignment is unsafe why it was cleared in the first place.
Why weren't proper risk assessment and geological surveys done before starting construction and now who will take responsibility for the loss of time and money?
The rail link is already way past its initial deadline of 2007 and delays like this could push the completion date beyond 2020.
The new alignment, say officials, will reduce the distance from 125 to 81 kms, but will also scrap the construction of the World's highest bridge over Chenab. The site, which the railways had showed off proudly, is deserted these days.
“They are citing that the Chenab bridge is not safe and will collapse after its completed that is their worry but it is baseless,” says Project officer, Chenab Bridge, DS Kunar.
The work suspension has also affected over 40,000 people across 150 villages. Men like Bhoori Ram in Kauri village gave up their agricultural land to the railways, and worked as daily labourer.
“With the rail project we had hoped of a better future, but now there is nothing,” says a village resident.
Now there is no land, and no job and no train.
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