The government today approved a proposal to sanction over Rs 19,000 crore for the Udhampur- Baramulla rail project that was announced over 17 years ago to connect Kashmir Valley with Jammu.

The approval was given at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, official sources said, adding that the fund will be utilised for building rail tracks from Katra in Jammu to Qazigund. The deadline for completion of the project is 2017.

Sources said the delay in completion of the 290-km railway project has led to cost escalation, necessitating sanction of more money. 

Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, who was keen on getting this fund sanctioned, was also present in the cabinet meeting.

Work on the 119-km Qazigund-Baramulla track was completed in 2009. It is still underway for Udhampur-Katra and Katra-Qazigund sections and the deadlines for completion of the two sections have been set at 2013 and 2017, respectively.

Meanwhile, to boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre has sanctioned seven infrastructure projects worth Rs 36.22 crore, Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora said today.

"Seven projects worth Rs 36.22 crore have been sanctioned by the Centre for upgradation of infrastructure at potential tourism spots like Sonamarg, Srinagar, Jammu, Akhnoor, Reasi, Leh and Zanskar," he said.

The first installment of Rs 8.04 crore had been released by the Centre for taking up these projects, the Minister said. At a high-level meeting here, Jora reviewed ongoing developmental projects in the state and was apprised about the work on 68 tourism projects in J and K.