These projects in the Railway Budget 2013-14 are termed as “projects of Strategic importance.”

In the sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir, the national Project of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla and other projects of strategic importance is slated to be taken up on top priority.

“Madam Speaker, security of the nation is paramount and our brave soldiers make immense sacrifices to safeguard our frontiers. Providing need based rail connectivity to border areas is uppermost on Railways’ agenda,” said the Indian Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal while tabling the Railway Budget 2013-14 in Parliament on Tuesday.

For the first time Arunachal Pradesh, a border State, will be brought into rail network with the commissioning of the Harmuti-Naharlagun line this year.

“Also I am happy to inform that works on the new line railway project to connect State of Manipur are in full swing. We are also fast tracking the gauge conversion works on Lumding-Silchar and Rangia-Murkongselek,” Bansal said.

In view of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committees and demands from various border States, the Railway Minister has assured to pursue for approval of certain projects identified as being of national importance like Bilaspur-Manali-Leh link, Jammu-Poonch via Aknoor link, Tanakpur-Bageshwar link and Parsuramkund-Rupai link.

He also proposed a new line between Firozpur and Patti for providing direct rail link between border areas of Firozpur and Amritsar-Atari link.