Railways drops plan to broaden line
Broadening the track will hurt its heritage and tourism value. It will be preserved as it is, with improvement in services. PIYUSH GOYAL, Railway minister
DHARAMSHALA : The Indian Railways has shelved the plan to broaden the Pathankot-jogindernagar narrow-gauge line and instead, preserve it in its original form with improved facilities, Union railway minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.
Goyal was addressing a press conference here after conducting an aerial survey of the 164kilometer-long British-era rail line in presence of chief minister Jai Ram Thakur.
‘WILL PRESERVE IT IN ITS ORIGINAL STATE’
Goyal said that earlier, there was a plan to broad-gauge the track but he has decided to review it.
“Broadening the track will hurt the heritage and tourism value of the track. It’s a beautiful rail route and will be preserved as it is with improvements in services like increasing the speed and strengthening other facilities,” said the union minister.
He said that the railways and the government will formulate a joint policy to encourage film shootings on the route to boost tourism, industry and employment.
Asserting that he was surprised to know that it takes nine hours to cover the 164-kilometerlong distance from Pathankot to Jogindernagar, the minister said, “I have directed the officials to conduct oscillation tests to increase the speed and reduce time to six hours in 100 days.
“I have also directed the railway board to introduce new trains on this track. They will be holding a meeting with Research Design and Standards Organisation factory to discuss the designs” the Union minister said.
Talking about the Shimlakalka heritage track, Goyal said vista domes will be introduced on the route, adding that the divisional railway officials have been directed to the replace the old tracks with new ones to enhance both security and speed.
He said free internet services will also be made available at the 17 main stations along the track and Kangra station will be upgraded. Steam engine will be made a regular feature on Palampur-baijnath section of the track.
He said that he had taken some decisions to improve services on the Kalka-shimla heritage line and their outcome will be before people soon.
The CM said, “We had a detailed discussion related to the railway network in the state, its tourism and strategic importance.”