Dehradun May 13 (IANS) Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a final location survey for a broad-gauge single-track railway connectivity to Char Dham in Uttarakhand.
With the construction of the rail line Char Dham Yatra will become more comfortable and convenient for pilgrims as well as tourists wishing to visit the pristine and beautiful but ecologically sensitive region Prabhu said while addressing the gathering on the occasion.
The Minister said that PRS (Passenger Reservation System) will be made operational at Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The Char Dham project estimated to cost Rs 43 292 crore will link the famous Hindu pilgrimage centres of Badrinath Kedranath Gangotri and Yamunotri through Dehradun and Karanprayag by a 327-km rail track.
According to the Railway Ministry the project has been undertaken by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) a public sector undertaking under the ministry.
According to a Reconnaissance Engineering Survey conducted by RVNL there will be 21 new stations 61 tunnels and 59 bridges on the route.
The Railways said all four places of pilgrimage have varied and distinctive elevations.
The Yamunotri the origin of the Yamuna river is situated 3 293 metres above the mean sea level; Gangotri the origin of the Ganga at 3 408 metres; Kedarnath famous for the shrine of Lord Shiva at 3 583 metres; and Badrinath famous for the shrine of Lord Vishnu at 3 133 metres.
The REC took up the project in 2014-15 and submitted a report in October 2015.
Prabhu and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh also laid the foundation stone for the development of a Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Koti (Joshimath).
--IANS
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Char Dham journey to become more comforatble: Prabhu
