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IAF MI 26 choppers put Rly project back on track

GORKHALI

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Nov 13, 2010
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SOURCE :Dailypioneer.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.:tup:

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.:azn::smitten:

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
 
:cheers: We need Railways connectivity through all J&K and to the north east ... ATLEAST works are under way now.. good news indeed..
 
mi-26.jpg
 
economic development of region can help in healing the wounds given by militancy and faulty politics. lets hope J&K gets developed fast.
 
I think IAF should charge railway for this ....or they are charging ???/

all non military missions are charged by air force be it relief or other types. the cost is calculated based on various factors like fuel consumption, flying hours, man hour effort etc and then cost is forwarded to the agency/govt which requested for air effort. the money is then paid by agency (state govt/ home ministry) to MOD.
 
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.:azn::smitten:

That's exactly why an upgraded new Mi 26 is more useful to replace older Mi 26, than a Chinnok, because they are way more capable in the heavy lift role. Especially the northern areas are very hard to reach and although we are adding transport aircrafts with short landing capabilities, these Mi 26 still offers the advantage of transporting similar loads to areas, where other aircrafts simply can't be used.
 

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