Centre Flags Delays In Key Himachal Railway Projects, Seeks Stronger State Support

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Dec 12 (KNN) The Union Government has reported substantial progress as well as persistent challenges across key railway infrastructure projects in Himachal Pradesh.

The update was provided by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

The Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri rail line (63 km), sanctioned at a cost of Rs 6,753 crore under a 75:25 cost-sharing arrangement between the Centre and the Himachal Pradesh Government, continues to be hampered by land acquisition delays and incomplete state funding, as per the reply.

Of the required 124 hectares, only 82 hectares have been handed over, with land between Bilaspur and Beri still pending.

The project has incurred Rs 5,252 crore so far. Against its committed share of Rs 2,711 crore, the State Government has released Rs 847 crore, leaving a shortfall of Rs 1,863 crore.

According to the Ministry, the dual issues of insufficient land availability and delayed financial contributions are constraining project progress, despite the Centre's readiness to advance construction on available stretches.

Budgetary allocations for railway infrastructure and safety works in Himachal Pradesh have risen sharply from an annual average of Rs 108 crore during 2009–14 to Rs 2,716 crore for 2025–26 representing a more than twenty-fivefold increase.

Rail connectivity enhancements continue across the state. The Nangal Dam–Una–Andaura–Daulatpur Chowk section of the Nangal Dam–Talwara–Mukerian project has been commissioned, while work is in progress on the Daulatpur Chowk–Kartoli Punjab–Talwara segment (52 km).

Construction of the 28 km Chandigarh–Baddi new line, sanctioned at Rs 1,540 crore, is also underway.

Additionally, the survey and detailed project report for the proposed 25 km Baddi–Ghanauli line have been completed.

The Ministry also provided updates on the strategically significant Bilaspur–Manali–Leh rail line, designated as a priority by the Ministry of Defence.

The proposed 489 km alignment-comprising 270 km of tunnels through geologically complex Himalayan terrain-is estimated to cost Rs 1.31 lakh crore.

The survey and detailed project report for this high-altitude corridor have been finalised.

Vaishnaw noted that the sanction and completion of railway projects depend on considerations such as traffic potential, connectivity needs, operational requirements, socio-economic benefits, and the availability of funds.

Project timelines, he added, are further shaped by land acquisition processes, forest clearances, utility shifting, statutory approvals, challenging terrain conditions, and limited working windows in mountainous regions.

(KNN Bureau)

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