Pack Your Bags Because Indian Railways Is Building A Direct Train Line From Delhi To Ladakh

Ladakh has been the go-to spot for those who love traveling for a long time now. But after Farhan and Raju abducted Pia from her wedding and took a scenic route to Rancho (urf Phunsuk Wangdu), it has become all the more famous now.

Now there are quite a few ways to get there. You can travel by air by taking a flight from Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar or Chandigarh (to name a few) to Leh. Or you can by bike through the Sringar-Leh or Manali-Leh highway. Additionally you can travel by car, bus or by train.

Until now, those who like to travel by train would’ve to avail the Jammu Tawi Express from major cities and get down at Jammu Tawi, which is 700km away from Ladakh. But, according to Economic Times, that’s going to change very soon.

Reports say that Indian Railways is planning to connect New Delhi with Ladakh through the world’s highest railway line that’ll run along the India-China border. The plan is to construct a strategic route that’ll cover Bilaspur, Manali and Leh.

Reportedly, the location survey for the first phase is already complete. This line will have two primary purposes. One is to give all-weather access to the armed forces. And two, it’ll boost tourism in the Ladakh region.

Preliminary calculations suggest that the estimated cost for building this 465-km line will be Rs. 83,360 crore. The line will be at 5360 metres above mean sea level, thereby rivaling that of the Qinhai-Tibet Railway Line in China (2000 metres above mean sea level).

The project is supposed to have 74 tunnels, 124 bridges and 396 minor bridges. There will be 30 stations on the line, with the Keylong station being at a height of 3000 metres.

Those who are planning to enjoy the view, here’s a warning. More than half of the train route will be covered through tunnels and one of them is almost 27kms long. But worry not, because this route will pass through some important locations like Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Keylong, Koksar, Darcha, Upshi, Karu and more. And once it’s finished, it’ll take you from Delhi to Leh within 20 hours (which is half of the time that it takes right now).

Chief Administrative Office of Northern Railway, Alok Kumar has said that this will be one of the most difficult projects taken by the Indian Railway. The final location survey is currently in progress (which will take 30 months and Rs. 457.72 to complete). But hey, once it’s done, this surely sounds like a trip worth taking.

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