New Delhi, March 13 -- Centre on Wednesday said five new railway surveys are underway in Jammu and Kashmir, while other projects remain stalled.

Replying to a question from Mohmad Haneefa in the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh rail plan was dropped due to high costs and low demand, and the Jammu-Poonch line remains stalled over feasibility concerns. Also, the Banihal-Baramulla rail line doubling has been prioritized by the government."

The Minister clarified that there are no immediate plans to survey a rail link between Ganderbal in Kashmir and Kargil in Ladakh, despite the strategic importance of the region.

He said the railway projects are planned and executed based on factors such as traf...