Himachal pants on track to progress as Lalu gives one rail line

The state is also fighting for yet another line on the Baddi-Brotiwala-Nalagarh belt, bordering Punjab, and a direct connectivity between Chandigarh and Baddi. The region is witnessing an industrial boom with Rs 27,000 crore being invested in the region in the past five years. However, lack of good roads has put the industry at a disadvantage.

The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri railway line is expected to boost the economic activity in the region and reduce vehicle traffic on the highways. And with two mega cement plants located in this mid-Himalayan belt and three others in the pipeline, the railway line has surely brought a lot of hope with it.

Besides industrial activities, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal also has security concerns. In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dhumal had pointed out that China is extending its railway line up to Lhasa and western Tibet, posing threat to the nation’s security. Himachal shares its border with Tibet and the importance of having an uninterrupted, reliable, high capacity supply line was felt even during India-China war in 1962, Dhumal had reminded the Prime Minister.

Dhumal had also proposed to the Centre that the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge railway line, whose upgradation had been shelved because of the high cost involved, be reviewed for converting it into a broad gauge line. The same could join Bhanupalli-Bilaspur line and extend up to Manali and Leh to achieve nation’s defence requirements.

Last year, Himachal Pradesh had signed an agreement with the World Bank to avail Rs 1,300 crore for upgradation of its roads. However, roads may be insufficient to cater to the growing industries and tourism projects of the state. As Dhumal noted in his letter, “railway extension is the need of the hour for Himachal — not only for economic growth but also to cater to the needs of national security”.