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| {{Short description|Proposed high elevation railway track in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh}}{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Bhanupli–Leh line]] |
| {{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
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| {{Infobox rail line
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| | name = Bilaspur–Leh line
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| | logo_width = 100px
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| | logo_alt = Indian Railways
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| | type =
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| | status = *
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| * Survey{{spaced ndash}}done
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| * Feasibility Report{{spaced ndash}}done
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| * Submission to Planning Commission for appraisal{{spaced ndash}}done
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| * Approval by Planning Commission{{spaced ndash}}yes
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| * Land Acquisition{{spaced ndash}}In progress
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| * Construction{{spaced ndash}}no
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| | locale = [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Ladakh]], [[India]]
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| | start = [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh]]
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| | end = [[Leh]], [[Ladakh]]
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| | stations =
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| | routes = [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur]]–[[Mandi, Himachal Pradesh|Sundernagar]]–[[Kullu]]–[[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]]–[[Keylong]]–[[Leh]]
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| | linelength_km = 498
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| | linelength_mi =
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| | linelength =
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| | tracklength_km = 498
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| | tracks =
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| | gauge = {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}}
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| | elevation_m =
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| | elevation_ft =
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| | elevation = {{convert|5359|m|ft|abbr=on}} at [[Taglang La]]
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| | electrification = proposed
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| | website = http://www.indianrailways.gov.in
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| | map = {{Bilaspur–Leh line}}
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| }} | | }} |
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| '''Bilaspur–Leh line''' is a proposed high-elevation all-weather {{RailGauge|1676mm|lk=on}} broad gauge railway track that was planned to connect [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] to [[Leh]] in [[Ladakh]] [[union territory]] of [[India]].<ref name="nvonews1">{{cite web |url=http://nvonews.com/2009/09/19/himachal-railways-awards-bhanupali-bilaspur-railway-line-project/ |title=Himachal: Railways Awards Bhanupali-Bilaspur Railway Line Project |publisher=Nvonews.com |date=2009-09-19 |access-date=2012-04-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407105525/http://nvonews.com/2009/09/19/himachal-railways-awards-bhanupali-bilaspur-railway-line-project/ |archive-date=7 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="visitladakh1">{{cite web |url=http://www.visitladakh.com/news/142-rail-link-to-leh-centre-seeks-plan-panel-nod.html |title=Rail link to Leh: Centre seeks Plan panel nod. |publisher=visitladakh.com |access-date=2012-04-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312152126/http://www.visitladakh.com/news/142-rail-link-to-leh-centre-seeks-plan-panel-nod.html |archive-date=12 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It would link to the [[Indian Railways|Indian railway network]] via an extension of the 62 km long under-construction railway line from Bhanupali to Bilaspur. [[Bhanupali]] is the railway station on existing Ambala-Sirhind-Una section of Northern railway.
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| The total expected length of Bilaspur–Leh line was {{convert|498|km|mi|abbr=in}}. The [[Railway Budget]] 2011-2012 announced that the project would be taken up in the next year's budget.<ref>Speech of Mamata Banerjee introducing the Railway Budget 2011-12 25th February 2011. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120201003522/http://india.gov.in:80/images/railbudget11-12.pdf Archived] from the [http://www.india.gov.in/images/railbudget11-12.pdf original] on 1 February 2012.</ref> The Railway Budget in 2012 announced that the project was sent to the [[Planning Commission (India)|Planning Commission]] for appraisal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Budget 2012-2013 Speech of Dinesh Trivedi Minister of Railways. March 14, 2012|url=http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ESpeech_2012-13.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324063208/http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ESpeech_2012-13.pdf|archive-date=24 March 2012|access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="himvani1">{{cite web|date=2010-12-26|title='Manali–Leh railway line project report with Planning Commission'|url=http://www.himvani.com/news/2010/12/26/manali-leh-railway-line-project-report-with-planning-commission/9555|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226072332/http://www.himvani.com/9555/manali-leh-railway-line-project-report-with-planning-commission/|archive-date=26 February 2020|access-date=2012-04-02|publisher=Himvani.com}}</ref> As of September 2016, [[Northern Railways]] had begun the process of acquiring land for setting up office in Leh.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=4 September 2016|title=Railways seeks land at Leh to expedite rail link project|newspaper=The Economic Times|agency=PTI|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/railways-seeks-land-at-leh-to-expedite-rail-link-project/articleshow/53996999.cms|access-date=2016-09-04}}</ref>
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| ==History==
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| The [[Chief Minister]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]] asked the [[Government of India]] to extend railway connectivity from [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur]] to [[Leh]] through [[Mandi, Himachal Pradesh|Mandi]], [[Manali, Himachal Pradesh|Manali]] and [[Keylong]]. This would increase tourism in Himachal Pradesh and [[Ladakh]] and facilitate quicker movement of troops and equipment.<ref name="nvonews1"/><ref name="visitladakh1"/> Following an examination of the feasibility report for the proposed Bilaspur–Leh line, the Union [[Ministry of Railways (India)|Railway Ministry of India]] forwarded the recommendation to the [[Planning Commission of India]] for its approval.<ref name="himvani1"/> The survey for the project had been done and presently it is seeking approval of the planning commission of India and while railway minister assured about early clearance of this project.
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| ==Strategic importance==
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| Once this railway line is completed, [[Leh]] will be directly connected to Himachal Pradesh and the rest of India by railway. The distance between [[Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh|Bilaspur]] and [[Leh]] will be about {{convert|460|km|mi|abbr=on}}. When the railway lines to Bilaspur and then to Leh are completed, the time taken to reach [[Leh]] from [[Delhi]] will be reduced to less than two days compared to about four days by the existing [[Leh–Manali Highway|highway from Manali]]. Personnel and equipment will be transported more easily to [[Leh]], a strategic military base. This is one of the four important railway connectivity along China border identified by the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Defence Ministry]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/four-places-along-china-border-identified-for-rail-connectivity-government/articleshow/45603936.cms|title=Four places along China border identified for rail connectivity: Government|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|date=22 December 2014|access-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>
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| Post Galwan clash with China, The Government of India expedited the land acquisition for the project.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Manta|first=Dipender|date=22 June 2020|title=Centre expedites land acquisition for Bilaspur-Leh railway line|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/centre-expedites-land-acquisition-for-bilaspur-leh-railway-line-102761|url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-22|website=Tribune India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623141418/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/centre-expedites-land-acquisition-for-bilaspur-leh-railway-line-102761 |archive-date=23 June 2020 }}</ref>
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| ==Challenges==
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| After [[Jammu–Baramulla line]], Bilaspur–Leh line will be the most challenging railway project in [[Indian Railways]] due to high mountains, a large number of tunnels and high bridges and severe cold weather.{{original research inline|date=December 2012}} According to the survey report, cost of construction of this {{convert|458|km|mi|abbr=on}} long all-weather broad-gauge railway line has been calculated at [[Indian rupee sign|₹]]83,360 [[crore]] (~USD 11.3 bn at time of publication<ref> {{cite web | url = https://www.exchangerates.org.uk/USD-INR-18_10_2018-exchange-rate-history.html | title = US Dollar (USD) to Indian Rupee (INR) Historical Exchange Rates on 18th October 2018 | website = www.exchangerates.org.uk | access-date = 2021-07-18}}</ref>) with a negative rate of return of 4.46%.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 October 2018|title=Railways seeks central funding for Bilaspur-Leh project on India-China border|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/oct/18/railways-seeks-central-funding-for-bilaspur-leh-project-on-india-china-border-1886857.html|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-16|website=The New Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018014211/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/oct/18/railways-seeks-central-funding-for-bilaspur-leh-project-on-india-china-border-1886857.html |archive-date=18 October 2018 }}</ref>
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| ==Progress==
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| The {{convert|498|km|abbr=on}} Bilaspur–Leh rail project has been expedited and the Final Location Survey for this has been undertaken at a cost of ₹345 crore. The railway had requested the [[Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh|LAHDC]] to provide adequate land for setting up a camp office, and the required infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=3 December 2016|title=Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line on fast track|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/bilaspur-manali-leh-rail-line-on-fast-track/articleshow/55764296.cms|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-16|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204020642/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/Bilaspur-Manali-Leh-rail-line-on-fast-track/articleshow/55764296.cms |archive-date=4 December 2016 }}</ref> In April 2017, the [[Government of India|Government]] said that the Final location Survey (FSL) for these will be completed by the October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 April 2017|others=PTI|title=Centre announces final location survey of three railway lines in Arunachal Pradesh|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2017/apr/01/centre-announces-final-location-survey-of-three-railway-lines-in-arunachal-pradesh-1588716.html|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-16|website=The New Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107011753/http://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2017/apr/01/centre-announces-final-location-survey-of-three-railway-lines-in-arunachal-pradesh-1588716.html |archive-date=7 November 2017 }}</ref> In June 2017, foundation stone was laid for final location survey by then Railway Minister [[Suresh Prabhu]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Khosla|first=Sakshita|date=27 June 2017|title=Train to Leh, Ladakh: Suresh Prabhu lays foundation stone for Bilaspur-Mandi-Leh Rail Line to be built at a cost of Rs 157 cr|url=http://www.india.com/business/train-to-leh-ladakh-suresh-prabhu-lays-foundation-stone-for-bilaspur-mandi-leh-rail-line-to-be-built-at-a-cost-of-rs-157-cr-2275054/|url-status=live|website=India.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629024104/http://www.india.com:80/business/train-to-leh-ladakh-suresh-prabhu-lays-foundation-stone-for-bilaspur-mandi-leh-rail-line-to-be-built-at-a-cost-of-rs-157-cr-2275054/ |archive-date=29 June 2017 }}</ref>
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| ==Taglang La railway station==
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| [[File:Tanglanglapass.jpg|thumb|[[Taglang La]]]]
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| Taglang La railway station at [[Taglang La]] is expected to become the highest railway station in the world at {{convert|5359|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the sea level overtaking the current record of [[Tanggula railway station]] in [[Qinghai]], China at {{convert|5086|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
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| ==See also==
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| * [[List of highest railway stations in the world]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist|30em}}
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| ==External links==
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| * [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Bi4GaxTvi6K77LPM4NxHbnadksk&hl=en_US&ll=32.039803292535616%2C78.45877654843753&z=7 Google map of the existing and planned route with additional spurs]
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| {{Railways in Northern India}}
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| {{Himachal Pradesh topics}}
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| {{Ladakh}}
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| {{Highest train stations of the world}}
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Bilaspur-Leh line}}
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| [[Category:Proposed railway lines in India]]
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| [[Category:Firozpur railway division|*]]
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| [[Category:Rail transport in Himachal Pradesh]]
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| [[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
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| [[Category:Transport in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh]]
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| [[Category:Transport in Leh]]
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| [[Category:Ladakh]]
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| [[Category:Rail transport in Ladakh]]
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