§ SIR J. LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether H.H. the Maharajah of Kashmir contemplates building a railway to his capital of Srinagar by the way of Jammu, at a cost of three crores of rupees; and, if so, will the expense be provided out of Kashmir revenues or by loan; has the Indian Government urged or recommended the construction of this line, and will any financial responsibility be incurred by the Indian Treasury in respect of such railway; will any portion of the line be in British territory; what is the length of the railway and estimated cost per mile; and before this large project is decided upon, will it be ascertained whether embankments and other flood or water regulation works so long needed in Kashmir have been carried out?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAThe Maharajah of Kashmir contemplates the construction of a railway, 175 miles in length, from Jammu to Srinagar, no part of which will be in British territory. The estimated cost has not yet been ascertained. The Government of India have encouraged the consideration of the scheme, but do not propose to incur any financial responsibility. No Report has been made to me of its possible effect on other proposed public works in Kashmir, but I am able to state that the Government of India have not lost sight of this aspect of the question.