Kalka-Shimla Railway Reopens After Monsoon

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. See also: Iconic Kalka-Shimla Heritage Track Damaged in HimachalGati Shakti proposes Rs 7.6B Infra Boost: Roads, Rails