India, July 20 -- The Uttarakhand government has initiated a review of construction restrictions imposed along the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag railway corridor, signalling a possible easing of development curbs in areas where railway work is nearing completion. Officials said the exercise aims to assess whether phased relaxation of the 400-metre "freeze zone" can be permitted without compromising the safety of the under-construction rail project.

The review has been initiated on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Housing secretary R. Rajesh Kumar has asked district magistrates and departmental officials to submit detailed reports identifying locations where railway construction has substantially progressed and where developm...