A train to Leh from Delhi, that’s right!

_{Yes, you read that right! You will soon be able to enjoy a train ride from Delhi to Leh. This would, in all probability, be the highest rail route in the world, and another gem in India’s crown. A mammoth project, the proposed project will cost a staggering INR 83,360 crores and will let you reach Leh from Delhi via train in a mere 20 hours as compared to the current duration of 40 hours.}

Furthermore, travellers will be able to take a train right till Leh rather than Jammu. If you fancy a ride on the proposed rail line, here is more information on the same.

*Images used in the story are representational, as the project is still in the pipeline.

The Delhi to Ladakh train route will traverse through some of the most important and major places. The railway track will have destinations including Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Keylong, Koksar, Darcha, Upshi and Karu en route. While a lot of the route will be covered via tunnels, expect spellbinding scenery as well. There will be a total of 30 train stations on the route.

The proposed train from Delhi to Leh will bring down journey time from 40 hours to 20 hours, by a whopping 50 per cent. A survey is already on to scout for finer details of the vantage points and locations and is expected to be over in a span of 30 months. The detailed survey is assumed to bring down the travel duration by a few more hours.

The proposed rail line from Delhi to Leh will cover an estimated 465 km, and will be built at a cost of INR 83,360 crores. The very first location survey is pegged at around INR 400+ lakhs.

The train route from Delhi to Leh will go through a humongous 74 tunnels, 124 bridges, and an additional 396 smaller bridges. Needless to mention that a good duration of this journey will have adventures unfolding in the tunnels itself because it is the mighty Himalayas; one of the tunnels is estimated to run for 27 km! Keylong will be one of the main stations on the route, and will be built at a height of 3000 m.

Keylong will be the highest train station in the country, and one of the highest train routes in the world as well. Currently, China’s Qingzang Railway wears the crown of being the highest rail line in the world. The maximum altitude on this route touches 16,627 ft. The proposed rail line from Delhi to Leh will be contending for the title with Qingzang Railway! It is estimated that the new rail line might be the highest rail route in the world.

Going by the statement by Mr Alok Kumar, Chief Administrative Office of Northern Railway, the proposed project is one of the most difficult ones for IRCTC till date. One look at the imposing mountains on the route, and there is no denying the formidable challenges the construction process will have to bear with.

While on this journey, get ready for the spectacle of a lifetime, that is when you have crossed over all the tunnels. Out of all the places, do look out for the very gorgeous terrain of Manali, Keylong, Mandi, Upshi, Karu and, of course, Leh. Needless to mention, keep those camera lenses ready.