Jasrotia meets Union Railway Minister, pushes for strategic Kathua-Billawer-Bani-Bhaderwah Rail Corridor

• Seeks priority approval for ambitious multi-phase railway project aimed at boosting connectivity, tourism and economic growth in Jammu Region

NEW DELHI: BJP MLA from Jasrota constituency, Rajiv Jasrotia on Thursday called on Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi and strongly advocated for the early approval and execution of several long-pending railway connectivity projects for the Jammu region, particularly the ambitious Kathua-Billawer-Manwal-Basholi-Bani-Bhaderwah railway corridor.

During the meeting, Jasrotia submitted a comprehensive memorandum highlighting the immense developmental, economic, tourism and strategic significance of the proposed railway projects conceptualized by the Nav Kathua Railway Station Nirmaan Samiti, Kathua. He urged the Union Minister to take up the matter on priority and extend necessary support for the approval of the initial phases of the project.

The MLA emphasized that the proposed railway corridor aims to connect remote and hilly areas of Kathua district and adjoining regions with the national railway network through the most technically feasible and economically viable route. The project has been designed in five phases covering a total proposed distance of approximately 185 kilometers.

As per the proposal, Phase-I envisages a rail link from Azizpur (Madhopur, Punjab) to Kathua town and further to Billawer, while subsequent phases would connect Billawer with Manwal, Basholi, Bani and ultimately Bhaderwah. Jasrotia informed the Union Minister that the pre-feasibility survey of Phase-I had already been conducted by the Ministry of Railways and was found technically feasible.

Highlighting the importance of the project, Jasrotia stated that the proposed rail corridor would drastically reduce travel distance between Kathua and Billawer from nearly 85 kilometers to around 30 kilometers through a single tunnel of about 4.45 kilometers beneath the Shivalik range near Balasundri Mata Mandir. He said the railway project would not only revolutionize connectivity in the hilly belts of Kathua, Billawer, Basholi, Bani and Bhaderwah but would also open vast opportunities for tourism, trade, employment generation and industrial growth across the region.

“The proposed line has immense strategic and socio-economic significance. Besides providing an alternative connectivity route to the Udhampur-Baramulla railway network, it will also boost tourism in some of the most scenic destinations of Jammu region including Billawer, Basholi, Bani and Bhaderwah,” Jasrotia said during the meeting.

The MLA also drew attention towards another important proposal concerning the establishment of an alternate railway station within Kathua town near Ramleela Ground and Sadhu Ki Boliyaan. He informed the Union Minister that the present Kathua railway station is situated on the outskirts in the industrial area and does not adequately cater to the needs of daily commuters and city residents.

According to the proposal submitted by the Samiti, the alternate 17.80-kilometer railway line between Sujanpur and Budhi section would include a full-fledged railway station in the heart of Kathua city and a flag station at Sherpur, benefitting nearly 100 surrounding villages including Nagri, Jakhbar, Padyari, Bamiyaal, Khokhyal and adjoining areas.

Jasrotia pointed out that the project had already undergone pre-feasibility assessment by the Railways and was declared technically viable. He added that the proposed bypass line would also help resolve operational difficulties caused by steep gradients in the existing Sujanpur-Budhi railway section where trains frequently face movement disruptions.

The BJP MLA further informed the Union Minister that the project had earlier received recommendations during the District Development Board meeting held in 2015 under the chairmanship of the then Chief Minister Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and was subsequently endorsed by the District Development Council Kathua in 2024 as well.

Jasrotia also raised the long-pending demand for construction of railway underpasses at several critical locations in the constituency to ensure public safety and improve connectivity.Jasrotia highlighted that several densely populated areas of Jasrota constituency have schools and residential localities situated near railway tracks, causing immense inconvenience and posing serious safety risks to students, pedestrians and daily commuters due to the absence of safe crossing facilities.

Seeking immediate intervention, the MLA urged the Railway Ministry to undertake surveys and approve the construction of railway underpasses at five key locations including Logate More to Logate Sahar, Barnoti to Budhi, Ghatti More to Industrial Area Ghatti, Rajbagh to Jasrota and Chann Arorian to Ladoli.

Jasrotia stated that the proposed underpasses are essential for ensuring smooth movement of residents, preventing accidents and facilitating safer access for school children and commuters residing in the adjoining areas.He requested the Union Minister to issue necessary directions for early survey and execution of the projects in the larger interest of public welfare and regional connectivity.

Seeking urgent intervention from the Centre, Jasrotia requested the Railway Ministry to sanction the Final Location Survey and tariff survey for the proposed projects so that the plans could be taken towards implementation in a phased manner.

He maintained that the proposed railway expansion would emerge as a transformative infrastructure initiative for the entire Jammu region by strengthening connectivity, promoting balanced regional development and integrating far-flung hilly areas with mainstream economic activity.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw patiently heard the demands and assured that the proposals would be examined sympathetically in view of their developmental and strategic importance.