Himachal C M

By Bijender Sharma

DHARMSHALA---Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister has welcomed the proposal of the Union Railway Minister, Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav’s announcement of construction of Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri broadguage railway line in the State, getting Heritage Railway line status conferred for the Kalka-Shimla Railway Line by the UNESCO which had been possible due to constant pursuance of the demand at different levels with Government of India and Ministry of Railways. He said that State had already made budget provision of Rs. 37 crore as its share for the construction of this railway line in its Annual Plan for the financial year 2008-09. He said that he was disappointed over the proposal of Railway Ministry to place the Chandigarh-Baddi railway line in its survey list whereas the same had already been surveyed as Chandigarh-Baddi railway line to connect the industrial area with broadguage railway line as Baddi-Barotiwala-Nangal Railway line. He also expressed his concern for not mentioning about conversion of Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow guage railway line into broadguage for connecting the border areas through Mandi-Kullu-Manali–Lahaul valley to Leh Laddakh which was strategically important and the matter had already been brought into the notice of Prime Minister, Union Finance and Railways Ministers through letters. Chief Minister also felt disappointed about not extending the Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi upto Una and introducing new Shatabdi between New Delhi and Pathankot which were pressing demands of the people of the lower areas. He hoped that Union Railway Ministry would provide adequate budgetary provisions for completion of on going Nangal Talwara Railway line.