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BJP hails rail link connecting national borders

SHIMLA: Himachal Government Ministers led by IPH Minister Ravinder Singh Ravi have welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allotting a 400 kms long broad gauge railway line connecting the national borders at Leh from Pathankot in Punjab and passing through Himachal.

It would go through the districts of Mandi, Kullu and Rohtang pass in Lahaul Spiti while connecting the entire tribal belt. This had become necessary since China had constructed an all weather road linking the Indian border through Lhasa at least two years ago, said the Ministers here on Wednesday. The project would cost Rs.14,000 crore.

The Ministers claimed that it was due to the efforts of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal who had encouraged the attention of Union Government towards this strategic necessity. Huge costs can be saved after the rail line since majority military supplies are going through roads, they said. The Ministers hoped that the State looks forward to the High Powered China Study Group to complete its assessment on priority and submit favourable opinion beside the Union Railway Ministry submitting its feasibility report within the time frame to pave the way for starting the construction work of the project.

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