In order to speed up process in the proposed Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line, Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul ordered formation of a monitoring committee to periodically review the project status. The Governor directed this step while chairing a meeting to evaluate the present status of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line here on Wednesday.
Calling this ambitious railway project very important for development in Uttarakhand, Paul directed formation of a monitoring committee headed by the Garhwal commissioner which will hold a review meeting at least once in every two months to maintain momentum of the project work.
The proposed rail line is about 125 kilometres long of which 85 per cent will be through tunnel track. The rail project covers five districts including Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag. The Governor directed that the non-forest Government land required for laying the railway track should be transferredwithin one week to the Rail Vikas Nigam limited (RVNl).
He also directed work be expedited to facilitate removal of high tension lines of Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand limited (PTCUl) and no objection certificate from other departments concerned. Paul told the district magistrates concerned to seek expert opinion for the project’s social impact assessment with RVNl having made budgetary provision for this.
A master plan should be drafted at this time based on assessment of public facilities as required for the 12 new railway stations proposed on the 125 km long track so that planned development and benefits for locals can be facilitated. Addressing RVNl officials, the governor called for special focus to ensure that commutation of local residents on roads is not barred during the construction work.
Any debris or construction material should not be laid on the road to the inconvenience of the public. Paul further directed the corporation officials to prepare a time schedule of all activities and schemes related to the rail project. This time schedule should also be made available to all the officials concerned so as to prevent any hindrance in progress of work.
Earlier, the RVNl officials made a detailed presentation of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway project dwelling on aspects including the project affected forest area, roads, rivers, villages and the proposed 12 new railway stations. The State chief secretary Shatrughna Singh and officials of the RVNl were also among those present in the meeting.