Shimla News
Nothing in the railway budget for Himachal Pradesh, when will the long-awaited railway projects finally be completed
The hill state has once again been disappointed in terms of railway expansion in the Union Budget. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did nothing more than make symbolic gestures, disappointing the hopes of many in the state.
Shimla, July 24: The hill state has once again been disappointed in terms of railway expansion in the Union Budget. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did nothing more than make symbolic gestures, disappointing the hopes of many in the state. There were high hopes of a significant budget allocation to complete the Nangal-Una-Talwara railway line in one go, but those hopes were dashed once again.
Earlier announcements related to Himachal Pradesh’s railway infrastructure have not been fulfilled, and this year’s budget did not provide any additional funds for the Bhanpuli-Bilaspur railway line. There was also no mention of including the Leh extension in the national priority plan, which many were eagerly waiting for.
There was no discussion on railway line extension in Kangra district. The Union Budget failed to meet the long-standing demand of converting the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge line to broad gauge, nor was a survey proposed for it. Similarly, the issue of Una-Hamirpur rail line and connecting Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial area with a rail line did not figure in the budget discussion.
Currently, the only broad gauge railway line in the state, the Nangal-Una-Talwara route, is incomplete. Though the rail has reached Daulatpur Chowk, progress is slow due to the slow pace of land acquisition in Punjab, delaying the extension to Talwara. The Nangal-Una-Talwara-Mukerian rail link is considered a strategic alternative route, yet efforts to extend this service beyond Amb to Jawalamukhi, Nadaun and other interior areas are inadequate.
The people of Himachal Pradesh expected a more significant commitment to railway development, which would boost economic growth and enhance connectivity within and outside the state. Unfortunately, this year’s budget has not fulfilled those aspirations, leaving many wondering when their long-awaited railway projects will finally be completed.
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