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J&K mulls utilisation of water flowing from railway tunnels in Reasi

The railway tunnels, which are part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project, damaged natural water resources in Reasi.

Updated on: Jul 30, 2020, 24:04:12 IST
Hindustan Times, Jammu | By , JAMMU
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The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday decided to explore the utilisation and conservation of water springs flowing from railway tunnels in its hilly Reasi district.

The world’s highest rail bridge that is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project in Reasi district, 107km from Jammu. (HT File)
The world’s highest rail bridge that is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project in Reasi district, 107km from Jammu. (HT File)

It may be stated here that the railway tunnels, which are part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project, damaged natural water resources in Reasi.

“The Reasi district administration is mulling to utilise and conserve the springs flowing from railway tunnels to meet the water shortage,” said an official spokesperson.

District development commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib on Wednesday visited these tunnels in the Gran Morh area of Reasi. She said the water flowing from the tunnels could be preserved and provided to the areas facing shortage in the district.

She asked the public health engineering (PHE) department to conduct a survey of T3 and T5 tunnels and explore the possibility of the water use.

“Because of various factors, water supply may not adequately meet a community’s needs. Its conservation will ensure fresh supply for everyone, today and tomorrow,” she said.

PHE executive engineer Sanjeev Malhotra, the village sarpanch and other officials accompanied the district commissioner.

While the under-construction railway bridge, having a staggering height of 359 metres, over the Chenab river is being touted an engineering marvel, villagers had in the recent past complained that the water resources in the hills had dried up because of the tunnels.

On March 24, 2013, at least eight labourers were injured during blasting at the T5 tunnel in Gran Morh.

  • Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

    A principal correspondent, Ravi Krishnan Khajuria is the bureau chief at Jammu. He covers politics, defence, crime, health and civic issues for Jammu city.

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