Jammu, Sep 27: Bani inhabitants have urged the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways to clarify the present status of the long-pending proposed railway connectivity linking Kathua-Billawar-Basohli-Bani with Bhaderwah.
They point out that the demand for railway connectivity to the hilly areas of Kathua district is not new.
Mudasar Ali, a social activist from the Bani area, recalled that in 2014, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh had publicly spoken about a railway link for Bani and Basohli and stated that preliminary work had begun.
In December 2015, the then Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu reportedly directed officials to undertake feasibility checks and surveys for the proposed Kathua–Bani–Basohli–Billawar and Manwal–Bhaderwah railway links.
Despite these developments, the issue continues to be raised even after several years. In 2023, the need for new railway links connecting Bani, Basohli and Billawar towards Doda and Kishtwar was again highlighted.
In 2025, MLA Rajiv Jasrotia raised the demand for railway connectivity between Kathua, Billawar, Basohli, Bani and Bhaderwah before the Lieutenant Governor and sought approval for the initial phases of the proposed project.
“More recently, in 2026, the issue was again taken up with the Union Railway Minister, while MLA Bharat Bhushan also raised the demand for Billawar–Basohli–Bani–Bhaderwah railway connectivity during his meeting with Dr Jitendra Singh,” Mudasar Ali said.
Bani inhabitants stated that the repeated raising of the issue over more than a decade raised an important question. “What happened to the feasibility survey and preliminary work ordered in 2015?” they ask.
“The people of Bani, Basohli, Billawar and the adjoining hilly areas have been hearing about railway connectivity for years. We now need a clear and official status of the project—not merely announcements or repeated demands,” Mudasar Ali said.
He urged the Ministry of Railways to make public the status of the surveys, feasibility studies, proposed alignment, Detailed Project Report (DPR), estimated project cost, approvals and any decision taken by the Railway Board regarding the proposed railway corridor.
Inhabitants assert that railway connectivity to the region can provide major benefits in terms of tourism, employment, trade, education, healthcare, transportation and strategic connectivity, particularly for the remote and mountainous areas of the region.
They appealed to elected representatives and the concerned authorities to pursue the matter with the union government and ensure that the long-pending proposal is brought to a clear conclusion.
“After more than a decade of discussions, the people deserve to know whether this railway project is under consideration, under survey, sanctioned, or still only a proposal,” Mudasar Ali said.
