The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh line is a proposed railway line from Srinagar station via the town of Kargil to Leh by Indian Railways. The line was designated a national project on 26 February 2013 The railway minister of India, Pawan Kumar Bansal announced that the survey of Srinagar Kargil Leh line will be undertaken during the year 2013-14. Strategic importance Once this railway line is completed, Leh will be directly connected to Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India by railway. The distance between Srinagar and Leh by road is about . When the railway lines to Leh is completed, the time taken to reach Leh from Delhi will be reduced. It will provide safe and quick mode of public transport. Personnel and equipment will be transported more easily to Leh, a strategic military base. Challenges After the Jammu-Baramulla line, the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh line will be the most challenging railway project in Indian Railways due to high mountains, a large number of tunnels and high bridges and severe cold weather.