Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh met Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal at New Delhi today. The Chief Minister urged the Union Railway Minister to initiate steps for expansion of railways in Himachal Pradesh which had virtually come to a stand-still. He requested that Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line may be completed as per the decision taken in the meeting held in the Prime Minister’s office on 8th August, 2007 wherein it was decided to share the cost of executing this project in the ratio 75: 25 by the Central and the State Government respectively.
He said that the need for laying this broad gauge rail line was necessary considering its economic and strategic importance.
Chief Minister requested for conversion of Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge rail-line into broad gauge and its expansion up to Leh via Mandi. He also requested for early execution of Ghanauli-Baddi-Kalka and Chandigarh-Baddi rail-line. He urged for budgetary provisions for early completion of these projects having National importance.
The Railway Minister assured that work on Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri and Amb-Talwara rail-lines would be started soon besides connecting Baddi industrial area with rail network.
