India Plans World's Highest Railway Station on 489-km Himalayan Line
ECONOMY & POLICY

India Plans World's Highest Railway Station on 489-km Himalayan Line

India is planning the 489-km Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line, which could include the world’s highest railway station at an elevation of approximately 5,256 metres above sea level. The proposed project is intended to connect Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh with Leh in Ladakh through challenging Himalayan terrain.

The planned alignment will pass through Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Sissu, Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Rumtse, Upshi and Kharu before reaching Leh. Several of these locations are already known for high-altitude roads, mountain valleys and desert landscapes, including stretches along the Manali-Leh highway.

The proposed station near Tanglang La is the project’s most notable feature. If constructed at the planned elevation, it could surpass China’s Tanggula railway station, which stands at approximately 5,068 metres, and become the highest railway station in the world.

The line will also require extensive tunnelling because of the region’s steep and difficult terrain. Around 270 km of the approximately 489-km corridor is expected to run through tunnels, making underground construction a substantial part of the proposed railway infrastructure.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1.31 tn. The railway would provide an alternative transport connection to Ladakh and could change how travellers reach the region, which is currently accessed primarily by road and air. However, the alignment, construction schedule and final implementation details were not provided in the available report.

The route would pass through some of the western Himalayas’ most demanding terrain, including high mountain passes and remote settlements. Its construction would therefore involve major engineering challenges, while the proposed high-altitude station would give the project an international distinction if the plans are completed.

India is planning the 489-km Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line, which could include the world’s highest railway station at an elevation of approximately 5,256 metres above sea level. The proposed project is intended to connect Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh with Leh in Ladakh through challenging Himalayan terrain. The planned alignment will pass through Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Sissu, Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Rumtse, Upshi and Kharu before reaching Leh. Several of these locations are already known for high-altitude roads, mountain valleys and desert landscapes, including stretches along the Manali-Leh highway. The proposed station near Tanglang La is the project’s most notable feature. If constructed at the planned elevation, it could surpass China’s Tanggula railway station, which stands at approximately 5,068 metres, and become the highest railway station in the world. The line will also require extensive tunnelling because of the region’s steep and difficult terrain. Around 270 km of the approximately 489-km corridor is expected to run through tunnels, making underground construction a substantial part of the proposed railway infrastructure. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1.31 tn. The railway would provide an alternative transport connection to Ladakh and could change how travellers reach the region, which is currently accessed primarily by road and air. However, the alignment, construction schedule and final implementation details were not provided in the available report. The route would pass through some of the western Himalayas’ most demanding terrain, including high mountain passes and remote settlements. Its construction would therefore involve major engineering challenges, while the proposed high-altitude station would give the project an international distinction if the plans are completed.

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