Railway upgradation to give new impetus to railway infrastructure in Himachal : Governor

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said that work was being done on railway projects worth Rs 13,168 crore in Himachal Pradesh, which would strengthen the rail network in the hilly state and provide better rail infrastructure.

The Governor was speaking at a program organized at Baijnath Paprola Railway Station in Kangra district today. He was present here at the virtual inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of redevelopment of 554 stations and 1585 road over bridges and underpasses across the country under Amrit Bharat Yojana by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Baijnath Paprola station, a road over bridge and underpass have also been included in these projects. He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for laying the foundation stone of these projects.

He expressed contentment that Baijnath Paprola station would also be renovated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and the people here would benefit from the increase in the inflow of tourists to Shiv Bhoomi Baijnath due to the construction of the station as per world class standards.

The Governor said that other works were being executed by the Railways in the State for smooth and better travel. In the budget for the year 2024-25, the highest ever record Rs 2081 crore has been allocated to Himachal Pradesh for the development of railways. He added that work was being done at an unprecedented pace in the construction of new railway lines, doubling and electrification of railway routes in the State. Vande Bharat Train is being run in Himachal, which is providing fast, easy and convenient travel facilities, he added. The Amb-Andaura railway station of Himachal was being redeveloped to provide state-of-the-art rail facilities. Work was also being done to give new impetus to the railway infrastructure in Himachal, he added.

The Governor said that there were two narrow gauge heritage lines in the State. Among these, Kalka Shimla is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The work of redevelopment of Shimla station was under process. He said that the redevelopment of railway stations includes development of circulating areas with landscape, separate entry and exit, separate parking facilities and adequate area as per passenger capacity. He also detailed other facilities to be provided there.

Members of Parliament Kishan Kapoor and Indu Goswami also spoke on the occasion,

Lady Governor Janaki Shukla, Kishori Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mulk Raj Premi, former MLA, R.K. Kalra, Assistant Divisional Railway Manager, Hemraj Bairwa, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Shalini Agnihotri, Superintendent of Police, officers from district administration and railways and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.