Kalka-Shimla Railway Reopens After Monsoon

29 Aug 2023 CW Team

Following the destructive monsoon that struck Himachal Pradesh earlier this month, the historic Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR), which has been in existence for over 120 years, is set to reopen in a phased manner. The initial phase will involve the reopening of the Kalka-Koti section on September 10. Subsequently, the Koti-Solan section is scheduled to open on September 20, and the Solan-Shimla section is projected to resume operations by September 30. Ambala Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Mandeep Singh Bhatia stated that the reopening process is contingent upon the absence of further rain-induced damage. The monsoon inflicted significant harm on this heritage railway segment, resulting in considerable damage to railway stations and tracks, as noted by Bhatia.

The region experienced a substantial monsoon, which led to the erosion of the railway track between the Jutogh and Summer Hill stations. This incident marked the second major setback for the iconic railway within a span of a few months, according to a report by The Indian Express. On July 8, the railway faced another challenge when improper placement of drainage pipes beneath the Kalka-Shimla national highway resulted in landslides, causing debris, boulders, and trees to obstruct the track at 135 locations, as reportedly stated by railway officials.

Constructed in the mid-19th century to cater to the needs of Shimla, which served as the summer retreat for the colonial administration, the 96-kilometer-long railway line traverses Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Initially featuring 107 tunnels, the line's tunnel count has been reduced to 102 due to landslides in the surrounding regions. These tunnels collectively constitute around 8% of the total length of the Kalka-Shimla railway line.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..