Railway Dept starts process for survey connecting Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts in Himachal with new rail line

TNR Desk

DHARAMSHALA: The Railway Department has started a survey to connect Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts in Himachal Pradesh through a railway line.

Under the survey, scheduled to begin in early 2024, the Northern Railway has already sought data from the administrations of Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts.

The 100-km railway line is planned to stretch from Ranital (Kangra) to Bilaspur via Hamirpur. As part of the survey process, the Railways utilised drones to conduct feasibility assessments across four to five circles along the proposed route. The department meticulously marked surveyed areas, recording essential data for further planning.

The proposed rail track is expected to feature 11 railway stations, strategically located to serve the commuting needs of the local population. The stations along the 100-km stretch have been proposed at Balu Gloa (10 km), Jawalamukhi (17 km), Nadaun (26 km), Jatiala (37 km), Harkhalsa (45 km), Hamirpur (50 km), Bhota (60 km), Jaral (69 km), Babheli (78 km), Panol (86 km) and Bilaspur (100 km).

The initiative gained momentum in March when the Railway Department instructed the collection of data from the districts concerned to assess the technical and financial feasibility of the proposed rail line. The collected information includes details on the current transportation infrastructure, fare structures, distances covered, population, agricultural and industrial production, religious and historical sites, tourism statistics, mineral resources and the socio-economic conditions of the local communities.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Nipun Jindal confirmed that necessary information had been provided to the Railway Department in March but stated that as of now, there was no official information on the ongoing survey.