**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4576, addressed to the Minister of Railways on August 20, 2025, inquires about the disruption of rail services from Jassur to Pathankot. Specifically, the question concerns the collapse of bridge pillars over the Chakki rivulet near Pathankot allegedly due to illegal mining activities.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, responded that the disruption occurred on the Pathankot Cantt-Joginder Nagar narrow gauge route between Dalhousie Road and Nurpur Road Railway station. Unprecedented monsoon rains caused the washing away of piers of Chakki Khad Bridge No. 32 on August 20, 2022, leading to the discontinuation of train services between Pathankot and Nurpur Road.
Restoration of Bridge No. 32, including repair and strengthening works, is underway and in an advanced stage of completion. The issue of illegal mining has been raised with the concerned State Governments administration by the Railway.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS: The government ministry responsible for railways.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Dr. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
RAILWAYS: The subject matter of the question, referring to the railway system.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Pathankot, Punjab: A city in Punjab, India, and a key location mentioned in the context of disrupted rail services.
Chakki rivulet: A river near Pathankot, Punjab; the bridge over it collapsed, causing disruption.
Nurpur road, Himachal Pradesh: A railway station and a road in Himachal Pradesh, India, between which train services were discontinued.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4576
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
DISRUPTION OF RAIL SERVICES FROM JASSUR TO PATHANKOT
† 4576. Dr. RAJEEV BHARADWAJ:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the pillars of the bridge over Chakki rivulet near
Pathankot collapsed due to illegal mining causing disruption
of rail services from Jassur to Pathankot;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent
illegal mining in future to ensure seamless rail services?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): Chakki Khad Bridge No. 32 is located between Dalhousie
road and Nurpur road Railway station on Pathankot Cantt - Joginder
Nagar narrow gauge route. The section is on hilly terrain and there
have been unprecedented rains during monsoon. Due to
unprecedented rains and consequent washing away of piers of Chakki
khad Bridge number-32 on 20.08.2022, train services were
discontinued between Pathankot to Nurpur road.
-2/--2/-
Restoration of Bridge no. 32 along with other works of repairs &
strengthening has already been taken up, which is in advance stage of
completion.
The issue of illegal mining is also taken up by Railway with
concerned State Governments administration time to time.
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