SOURCE
ailypioneer.com
There is light at the end of the tunnel now for the Kashmir-Kanyakumari rail connection as MI-26 helicopters ferry heavy equipment, material and manpower to the inaccessible terrains of the Pir Panjal range.For the first time, Indian Railways has taken the assistance of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the construction of an important stretch between Katra and Qazigund. Work on the prestigious Kashmir rail link project was stuck for more than a couple of years on the section connecting with Sangaldan due to ‘alignment controversies’.
The MI-26 helicopters had to pitch in due to difficulties in transporting construction material like dippers, excavators and other rolling stock material required in the making of the 148-km serpentine route between Katra and Qazigund.
The Russia-built, twin-engine, 20-tonne, strategic-lift helicopter can transport up to 70 men, plus equipment, and is used in high-altitude areas. On the troubled stretch in Kashmir, it brought in material and manpower for building roads in the otherwise inaccessible areas. Four helipads were constructed between Katra and Qazigund and all the material was transported by air from Jammu.

A senior Northern Railway official said, “Efforts are on to get the country’s longest transportation tunnel across the Pir Panjal range at the earliest. To expedite access and road construction work for tunneling in totally inaccessible areas, construction machinery has been recently airdropped using the world’s biggest helicopter – the MI-26.”
One of the IAF’s four MI-26s, based in Chandigarh, had crashed in December 2010 while airlifting heavy equipment for Railways. However, the incident hasn’t deterred anyone. The official added, “We are trying our best, even under very adverse conditions, to link this prestigious railway line as early as possible.”
The Kashmir rail link is now well and truly on track – despite running into controversy earlier – after all technical glitches were overcome, with minor modifications, depending on geological conditions. Work resumed after more than two-and-a-half years and the most difficult route – between Katra and Banihal – is now slated for completion by 2017.
Following some fuss in a project already sanctioned by the Prime Minister’s Office, an international consultant — M/s Amberg from Switzerland — was appointed by Ircon in October 2008. It submitted a report favouring the old modified alignment in December 2009.
In December 2008, the Railway Ministry too constituted an expert committee — headed by Railway Board’s former chairman M Ravindra — to study the alignment. The committee submitted its report in June 2009 and the Railway Board then decided to go ahead with the original alignment and “make modifications”, wherever required, for geological considerations by adopting a better grade.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/320334/IAF-choppers-put-Rly-project-back-on-track.html
ailypioneer.comThere is light at the end of the tunnel now for the Kashmir-Kanyakumari rail connection as MI-26 helicopters ferry heavy equipment, material and manpower to the inaccessible terrains of the Pir Panjal range.For the first time, Indian Railways has taken the assistance of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the construction of an important stretch between Katra and Qazigund. Work on the prestigious Kashmir rail link project was stuck for more than a couple of years on the section connecting with Sangaldan due to ‘alignment controversies’.
The MI-26 helicopters had to pitch in due to difficulties in transporting construction material like dippers, excavators and other rolling stock material required in the making of the 148-km serpentine route between Katra and Qazigund.

The Russia-built, twin-engine, 20-tonne, strategic-lift helicopter can transport up to 70 men, plus equipment, and is used in high-altitude areas. On the troubled stretch in Kashmir, it brought in material and manpower for building roads in the otherwise inaccessible areas. Four helipads were constructed between Katra and Qazigund and all the material was transported by air from Jammu.


A senior Northern Railway official said, “Efforts are on to get the country’s longest transportation tunnel across the Pir Panjal range at the earliest. To expedite access and road construction work for tunneling in totally inaccessible areas, construction machinery has been recently airdropped using the world’s biggest helicopter – the MI-26.”
One of the IAF’s four MI-26s, based in Chandigarh, had crashed in December 2010 while airlifting heavy equipment for Railways. However, the incident hasn’t deterred anyone. The official added, “We are trying our best, even under very adverse conditions, to link this prestigious railway line as early as possible.”
The Kashmir rail link is now well and truly on track – despite running into controversy earlier – after all technical glitches were overcome, with minor modifications, depending on geological conditions. Work resumed after more than two-and-a-half years and the most difficult route – between Katra and Banihal – is now slated for completion by 2017.
Following some fuss in a project already sanctioned by the Prime Minister’s Office, an international consultant — M/s Amberg from Switzerland — was appointed by Ircon in October 2008. It submitted a report favouring the old modified alignment in December 2009.
In December 2008, the Railway Ministry too constituted an expert committee — headed by Railway Board’s former chairman M Ravindra — to study the alignment. The committee submitted its report in June 2009 and the Railway Board then decided to go ahead with the original alignment and “make modifications”, wherever required, for geological considerations by adopting a better grade.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/320334/IAF-choppers-put-Rly-project-back-on-track.html
We need Railways connectivity through all J&K and to the north east ... ATLEAST works are under way now.. good news indeed..