GRP unit to be raised for Kashmir project
The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought an additional force of 2,800 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel to guard the upcoming Udhampur-Katra and Qazikund-Baramulla rail lines, the state's vital link with the rest of the country.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought an additional force of 2,800 Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel to guard the upcoming Udhampur-Katra and Qazikund-Baramulla rail lines, the state's vital link with the rest of the country.
A part of the 292-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla link, these two segments, built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore, are slated to be operational by the end of next year.
Currently, about 2000-strong security force comprising the Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Special Force and J&K policemen are guarding the ongoing construction work of the project.
There was a security review meeting for the project by the Home Ministry last week when the state government sought additional deployment of force for the two segments of the project.
"Since these two segments are becoming operational next year, the state government has projected a requirement of 2,800 GRP personnel," Shri Prakash, General Manager, Northern Railway, told media.
Engineers, workers and other personnel involved in the project have been the target of militants in the past. Two years ago, a railway engineer was kidnapped and killed. The recent call for non-Kashmiri workers to leave the Valley also slowed the pace of work.
"A committee comprising senior Railway Ministry officials and representatives from the J&K police will be formed to examine the proposal. It would decide the strength of the new GRP unit to be raised for the project. The cost of GRP unit would be equally shared by the railway ministry and the state government," said Prakash.
Besides Northern Railway, Konkan Railway and Indian Railway Construction Corporation are involved in executing the project.
A part of the 292-km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla link, these two segments, built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore, are slated to be operational by the end of next year.
Currently, about 2000-strong security force comprising the Central Reserve Police Force, Railway Protection Special Force and J&K policemen are guarding the ongoing construction work of the project.
There was a security review meeting for the project by the Home Ministry last week when the state government sought additional deployment of force for the two segments of the project.
"Since these two segments are becoming operational next year, the state government has projected a requirement of 2,800 GRP personnel," Shri Prakash, General Manager, Northern Railway, told media.
Engineers, workers and other personnel involved in the project have been the target of militants in the past. Two years ago, a railway engineer was kidnapped and killed. The recent call for non-Kashmiri workers to leave the Valley also slowed the pace of work.
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"A committee comprising senior Railway Ministry officials and representatives from the J&K police will be formed to examine the proposal. It would decide the strength of the new GRP unit to be raised for the project. The cost of GRP unit would be equally shared by the railway ministry and the state government," said Prakash.
Besides Northern Railway, Konkan Railway and Indian Railway Construction Corporation are involved in executing the project.
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