Preparations Underway to Resume Train Services on Kalka-Shimla Railway Track

Shimla, Sept 17 – Preparations to resume train services on the Kalka-Shimla railway track have commenced, with the arrival of a goods train at Solan station via a trial run. The trial run for track clearance began on Sunday, September 20. The trial run, carried out through a goods train, has reportedly been successful. Special trains are expected to run between Kalka and Solan starting on Monday.

A team of technical experts and senior officials will inspect the track and submit their report to the railway board. Afterward, regular train services are planned to be reintroduced on this route. Prior to this, in the first phase, rail traffic was restored between Kalka and Koti, and now, in the second phase, trial runs have begun on the track leading to Solan.

In July, the Kalka-Shimla heritage railway track suffered significant damage between Kalka and Solan due to landslides and track subsidence at several places. Heavy rainfall led to the destruction of embankments and drains in certain sections. This disrupted rail traffic, leading to a halt in train operations on this line for an extended period.

Extensive repair work and restoration efforts have been carried out over the past few weeks, and the track has been largely repaired and made operational between Kalka and Solan. Following this, a team of railway officials is overseeing the inspection of the track to ensure its safety and operational readiness.

The successful trial run through the goods train is seen as a positive sign, and further steps are being taken to fully reinstate train services between Kalka and Shimla, an iconic railway route known for its scenic beauty. However, the plan to restart services may be subject to changes based on ongoing assessments and weather conditions.

This development comes as a relief to the residents and tourists who rely on the Kalka-Shimla railway for transportation in the picturesque region of Himachal Pradesh.