Top priority to Bilaspur-Leh rail project

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 9

Considering its strategic importance, Himachal will accord top priority to the 475-km Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line for which the land acquisition process will be expedited.

This was stated by Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur here today. He presided over a review meeting of railway projects through video conferencing. The minister said it was important to expand rail line from strategic point of view in state.

He said that keeping national security in view, an international agency has conducted 22 surveys through satellite image system for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line. “As many as 30 railway stations have been proposed on this railway line, a survey for which will be conducted shortly,” said Thakur.

He directed the officials to complete all other formalities, including land acquisition, at the earliest. The transport minister urged the officials of railways and National Highways Authority of India to conduct a joint survey to check the incidents of falling of debris on the world heritage Kalka-Shimla railway line.

He said that all security arrangements such as parapets and boundary walls will be made to prevent such incidents. For Una-Talwara railway line the formalities related to land acquisition and forest department should be completed soon.

He instructed the officials to repair old railway line and remove dried trees in a time-bound manner.

Chief General Manager, Ropeway and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RPDC) Ajay Sharma conducted the proceedings of the meeting.

Principal Secretary, Transport KK Pant, Concerned Deputy Commissioners and officials of Forest and the NHAI were present during the meeting.