Government starts proposal for building 4 rail lines along China border

NEW DELHI: Government today said it has initiated the proposal for construction of 1,352 km long four strategic railway lines along the China border.

The Defence Ministry has identified four strategic lines along India-China border -- Missamari-Tenga-Tawang (378 km), Bilaspur-Manali-Leh (498 km), Pasighat-Tezu-Rupai (227 km) and North Lakhimpur-Bame-Silapathar (249 km), Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Railway Ministry has requested the Defence Ministry to convey approval to carry out final location survey at an estimated cost of Rs 345 crore and provide the necessary funds.

Sinha, however, said none of these projects has been sanctioned.

"The time of completion and cost cannot be ascertained till completion of the final location survey and detailed geo-technical studies, as all these projects pass through very difficult terrains of young Himalayas," he said.