Major railway projects in Himachal Pradesh progress, with the Nangal Dam–Daulatpur Chowk 60 km section commissioned and extension works from Amb Andaura towards Mukerian underway. The Daulatpur Chowk–Kartoli Punjab 10.5 km section is complete. On the Kartoli–Talwara stretch a nine point two km viaduct is about 25 per cent complete and associated bridge and level crossing works have been initiated. On the Talwara–Mukerian 28.7 km section major bridge works are about 70 per cent complete, 29 of 40 road under bridges are finished and two of three station buildings have been completed. The Chandigarh–Baddi 33 km new line is sanctioned at a cost of Rs 15.4 billion (bn) on a 50:50 cost sharing basis with the Himachal Pradesh government and Rs 10.69 bn has been expended up to February 2026. State deposits amount to Rs 3.48 bn against its Rs 5.34 bn share leaving a balance of Rs 1.86 bn, which has affected progress. Viaduct work of nine km is about 75 per cent complete and a DPR for Baddi–Ghanauli 25 km has been prepared. The Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri 63 km new line has a detailed estimate of Rs 67.53 bn including land costs of Rs 16.17 bn. The project requires 124 hectares in the state but only 82 hectares have been provided, constraining works. Expenditure of Rs 77.29 bn has been incurred; the state share is Rs 27.81 bn, deposits total Rs 8.47 bn and the balance is Rs 19.34 bn. Works include 15 of 16 tunnels completed, 10 of 27 major bridges and six of eight road over bridges. The Bilaspur–Manali–Leh 489 km strategic line has a completed survey and a DPR, with 270 km of tunnels and an anticipated cost of Rs 1.31 trillion (tn). A survey for Pathankot–Joginder Nagar gauge conversion of 200 km is under way. Budgetary outlay for state projects rose from Rs 1.08 bn per year to Rs 27.16 bn in 2025–26. Completion depends on land, forest and statutory clearances, utility shifting, geology, security and workable months, and the Union Minister replied in Rajya Sabha.