Jammu, Oct 16 (KNS): The reported decision of the Railway Board to wind up the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project establishment has raised concerns over the future of railway expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, with apprehensions that ongoing construction works, proposed rail routes and local employment could be affected.

According to a statement issued on Friday, the decision comes at a time when construction works estimated at nearly Rs 1,000 crore and surveys for several proposed railway lines are at different stages of execution.

The statement urged the Union Railway Ministry to reconsider the move, arguing that dismantling the existing establishment could disrupt ongoing projects and result in the loss of specialised engineering expertise developed over nearly 25 years.

The USBRL organisation, which played a key role in constructing railway infrastructure through the difficult Himalayan terrain, has also been associated with surveys and additional construction projects beyond the original rail link.

These include proposed railway routes connecting Jammu with Poonch, Baramulla with Uri, Qazigund with Baramulla and Jammu with Katra.

According to the statement, surveys for the Qazigund-Baramulla and Jammu-Katra routes have been completed, while the Jammu-Poonch survey is underway. A tender for surveying the proposed doubling of the Jammu/Katra-Qazigund railway line has also been awarded.

The statement said the USBRL establishment was handling additional infrastructure works, including office buildings and residential quarters for the newly created Jammu Railway Division, restoration of a flood-damaged railway bridge at Vijaypur and construction works worth around Rs 100 crore in Srinagar.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

It raised questions over how these projects would be supervised and completed if the existing organisation was wound up.

The statement also highlighted the technical expertise acquired by USBRL engineers and staff in constructing tunnels, bridges and railway infrastructure in challenging geological conditions.

It said transferring experienced personnel to different railway establishments could weaken the institutional capacity required for future railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Concerns were also raised over the possible impact on local employment, with transport operators, construction workers, suppliers, temporary employees and small businesses dependent on economic activities associated with railway construction.

The statement urged the Railway Ministry to retain the USBRL establishment and consider assigning it responsibility for future railway expansion projects in the Union Territory.

It suggested developing the existing organisation into a permanent railway construction and infrastructure development establishment for Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the statement did not provide a copy of the Railway Board's reported winding-up decision or specify arrangements proposed for transferring ongoing works and personnel.

An official response from the Railway Ministry regarding the reported decision and its implications was not available in the material provided. (KNS)