Survey for Bilaspur–Leh Railway Line Completed: Centre | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Union government on Wednesday stated that the survey for the proposed Bilaspur–Mandi–Manali–Leh railway line, a strategically significant project for Ladakh, has been completed and its Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Railways said the Ministry of Defence has designated the project as a strategic railway line, as the route will traverse extremely challenging Himalayan terrain and require nearly 270 kilometres of tunnels.

The proposed 489-kilometre railway line is estimated to cost around Rs 1.31 lakh crore, the Ministry added.

The government clarified that before sanctioning the project, extensive consultations with multiple stakeholders—including the relevant Union Territory administrations—and approvals from bodies such as NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance are required.

The Ministry of Railways further noted that railway projects are approved based on strategic importance, connectivity, socio-economic impact, and financial feasibility, and therefore, no definite timeline for the project can be provided at this stage.