Sudhanshu Sharma
Nurpur
Member of the Zonal Railway Committee (Northern Railway), Shri Deepak Bhardwaj, has strongly urged that the historic Kangra Valley Rail be treated as a matter of heritage and public necessity, not politics.
He emphasized that the Kangra Valley Rail is not merely a transport service but a lifeline tied to the emotions, livelihoods, and legacy of millions of people in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kangra district. Almost every family in Kangra has some connection with this century-old railway, making its prolonged suspension a cause of deep concern and anguish.
Bhardwaj recalled that during the first Zonal Railway Committee meeting a year ago, he had raised the demand for early restoration of the Chakki Bridge and modernization of the Kangra Valley Rail. Today, the Chakki Bridge stands nearly complete, and several successful trial runs have already been conducted. Safety reports have also been received, yet the service remains stalled without clear reasons.
He criticized attempts to politicize the issue, noting that the rail is vital for business, tourism, and daily commuting. He pointed out that after the Rail State Minister’s visit to Pathankot, discussions arose about shifting the service to Dalhousie Road, sparking widespread protests led by the Kangra Valley Railway Struggle Committee.
Bhardwaj stated that he has consistently raised the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office, Railway Minister’s Office, and senior officials, through letters and personal meetings. He also expressed gratitude to Rajya Sabha MP Shri Anurag Sharma for highlighting the issue immediately after his oath-taking.
He lamented that if other senior representatives from Himachal had joined forces, the public would not have faced repeated protests and long delays. The suspension has not only inconvenienced locals but also affected tourism and caused crores of rupees in losses to the Railways.
Marking one year since his first committee meeting, Bhardwaj shared his sentiments on social media:
“For a year we’ve walked the path of struggle, Calling back the Kangra Valley Rail. The bridge stands ready for months, Now we await the whistle on the tracks.”
He stressed that this is not just his personal feeling but the collective voice of Kangra.
Bhardwaj reminded that during elections, a senior leader had announced that the train service would resume from June 2. The public now expects the train to run regularly from Pathankot to Jogindernagar from that date. If not, he said, leaders must publicly apologize for misleading the people.
In conclusion, Bhardwaj appealed to the Central Government, Railway Ministry, and all representatives to rise above politics and recognize the Kangra Valley Rail as a heritage and emotional lifeline of Himachal Pradesh. He urged them to play a positive role in restarting the service at the earliest.
