**Executive Summary**
This report details major railway projects underway in Himachal Pradesh aimed at improving connectivity and regional development. Key projects include the Nangal Dam-Daulatpur Chowk section, which has been commissioned, and advancements in the Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli Punjab and Talwara-Mukerian sections. The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri and Chandigarh-Baddi projects are progressing, though success for the former is contingent on Himachal Pradesh state government support, and the latter is affected by cost-sharing. The Bilaspur-Manali-Leh strategic line's DPR is prepared.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Nangal Dam-Daulatpur Chowk Section:**
* The 60 km Nangal Dam-Daulatpur Chowk section of the Amb Andaura-Mukerian line has been commissioned.
* Works are ongoing for the 42 km Daulatpur Chowk-Mukerian section.
* **Daulatpur Chowk-Kartoli Punjab (10.5 km):** All works are completed.
* **Kartoli Punjab-Talwara (13.65 km):** Works are underway for viaducts (25% complete), major bridges (works taken up), minor bridges (works taken up), ROBs (works taken up), and RUBs (works taken up).
* **Talwara-Mukerian (28.70 km):** About 70% of major bridges are completed, and 29 out of 40 RUBs are completed with the balance underway. Two out of three station buildings are complete, with the remaining under construction.
* **Chandigarh-Baddi New Line (33 km):**
* The project is sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1540 crore on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
* Approximately Rs. 1068.88 crore has been expended up to February 2026.
* Progress is impacted by the non-deposition of the Himachal Pradesh government's share of project costs.
* Land acquisition (97 Ha) and forest clearance are completed.
* Viaduct work is 75% complete, with major bridges, ROBs, and station buildings underway.
* **Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri New Line (63 km):**
* Sanctioned on a cost-sharing basis: 25% by Himachal Pradesh Government, 75% by Central Government.
* The Himachal Pradesh Government is responsible for land costs exceeding Rs. 70 crore.
* The project's detailed estimate is Rs. 6753 crore, including Rs. 1617 crore for land.
* Land acquisition is a significant issue, with only 82 Ha provided out of 124 Ha required, adversely affecting progress.
* Project progress is impacted by the state government's non-fulfillment of commitments.
* Progress includes completion of 15 out of 16 tunnels, 10 out of 27 major bridges, 6 out of 8 ROBs, 4 out of 5 RUBs, and 3 out of 6 station buildings.
* **Bilaspur-Manali-Leh New Line (489 km):**
* Identified as a strategic line by the Ministry of Defence.
* Survey and Detailed Project Report (DPR) are completed.
* The project traverses difficult Himalayan terrain and includes 270 km of tunnels.
* The anticipated cost as per the DPR is Rs. 1,31,000 crore.
* The alignment connects key towns in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
* **Pathankot-Joginder Nagar Gauge Conversion (200 km):**
* Survey for gauge conversion of the existing narrow gauge section has been sanctioned.
* Field survey for DPR preparation is underway.
* Sanctioning of the project requires stakeholder consultations and approvals from various government bodies. Timelines are not fixed.
* **Himachal Pradesh Railway Budget and Projects:**
* Budgetary allocations for infrastructure and safety works in Himachal Pradesh have increased significantly from Rs. 108 crore/year (2009-14) to Rs. 2716 crore (2025-26).
* As of April 1, 2025, three new line projects totaling 214 km, costing Rs. 17,622 crore, are under construction.
* Of these, 64 km have been commissioned, with an expenditure of Rs. 8,280 crore incurred up to March 2025.
* **Factors Affecting Project Completion:**
* Land acquisition by the State Government.
* Forest clearance.
* Shifting of infringing utilities.
* Statutory clearances.
* Geological and topographical conditions.
* Law and order situation.
* Number of working months.
**Impact Analysis**
**Himachal Pradesh State Government**
* **Impact:**
* Directly involved in cost-sharing for several major railway projects, including Chandigarh-Baddi and Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri.
* Responsible for land acquisition and provision, which is currently impacting the progress of the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri project.
* Their support is noted as crucial for project success, particularly for the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri project.
* **Action Required:**
* Timely deposition of their share of project costs for projects like Chandigarh-Baddi.
* Expeditious provision of the required land for projects like Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri.
* Continued support for railway infrastructure development within the state.
**Ministry of Railways (Government of India)**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for the planning, execution, and funding of these major railway projects.
* Faces potential delays and cost escalations due to issues with state government cooperation and land acquisition.
* Driven to enhance connectivity and promote regional development through these projects.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue to drive project execution and monitor progress.
* Engage with the Himachal Pradesh State Government to resolve land acquisition and cost-sharing issues.
* Secure necessary approvals and clearances for ongoing and future projects.
**Ministry of Defence**
* **Impact:**
* Has identified the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh new line as a strategic line, highlighting its importance for national security and connectivity to border regions.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue to advocate for and support the strategic importance of projects like the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line.
**NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defence (for approvals)**
* **Impact:**
* Involved in the appraisal and sanctioning process for new railway projects.
* **Action Required:**
* Provide timely approvals and consultations for projects, especially those requiring multi-ministry clearance, like the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar Gauge Conversion.
Key Entities Referenced
Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri New Line (63km): A significant new railway line project aimed at improving connectivity and regional development.
Bilaspur – Manali – Leh New line (489 km): A strategic railway line project identified by the Ministry of Defence, traversing difficult Himalayan terrain.
Chandigarh-Baddi New line (33 km): A new railway line project that is advancing, with progress dependent on state government support.
Nangal Dam-Daulatpur Chowk (60 Km) Section of Amb Andaura-Mukerian Line: A commissioned section of a railway line, part of a larger project to extend and connect routes.
Ministry of Railways: The government body responsible for railway development and projects mentioned in the document.
Ministry of Railways
Major Railway Projects Underway in Himachal
Pradesh to Strengthen Connectivity, Enhance
Passenger Convenience and Promote Regional
Development
Nangal Dam–Daulatpur Chowk (60 Km) Section of Amb
Andaura–Mukerian Line Commissioned
Daulatpur Chowk–Kartoli Punjab 10.5 km Section Completed,
Talwara–Mukerian 28.7 km Section Advances with 70% of
Major Bridges and 29 RUBs Completed
Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri 63 km New Line Progresses with 15
Tunnels and 10 Major Bridges Completed, but Project
Success Depends on HP State Government Support
Chandigarh–Baddi 33 km New Line Project Advancing; 75%
Viaduct Work Completed
Bilaspur–Manali–Leh 489 km Strategic Himalayan Rail Line
DPR Prepared, Connecting Key Towns Across Himachal
Pradesh and Ladakh Including Mandi, Manali, Keylong,
Sarchu and Leh
Posted On: 13 MAR 2026 7:00PM by PIB Delhi
Amb Andaura is an existing station on Morinda – Rupnagar – Anandpur Sahib – Daulatpur Chowk line
which is taken up for extension and join Mukerian on Jalandhar – Jammu Route. Nangal Dam –
Daulatpur Chowk (60 km) of this project has been commissioned. Works have been taken up in Daulatpur
Chowk – Mukerian (42 km). Section wise progress is as under:
A. Daulatpur Chowk- Kartoli Punjab (10.5 km) : All Works completed.
B. Kartoli Punjab – Talwara (13.65 km) :
Activity Scope StatusViaduct 9.2 km Works taken up, about 25% completed
Major Bridges 1 Works taken up
Minor Bridges 7 Works taken up
ROBs 2 Works taken up
RUBs 8 Works taken up
C. Talwara –Mukerian( 28.70 km) :
Activity Scope Status
Major Bridges 13 Works taken up, about 70% completed
RUBs 40 29 completed, Works taken up in balance 11 RUBs
Station Building 3 2 completed, Works taken up in balance 1 Station
Building
Chandigarh-Baddi New line(33 km)
Chandigarh-baddi (33 km) new line project is sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1540 crore on 50:50 cost sharing
basis with Government of Himachal Pradesh. The work of Chandigarh-Baddi (30 km) new rail line
project has been taken up. An expenditure of Rs. 1068.88 crore has been incurred up to February’26.
Progress of the project is affected due to non-deposition of their share of project cost by Government of
Himachal Pradesh. Details are as under:
Total Expenditure Share of Money deposited by Balance
(Cr)
Govt. of Himachal Pradesh Govt. of Himachal Pradesh (Cr)
(50%) (Cr)
(Cr)
1069 534 348 186
Status of the project is as under:
S. No. Activity Scope Status
1 Land Acquisition 97 Ha Completed
2 Forest Clearance - Completed
3 Viaduct 9 km Works taken up, 75% completed4 Major Bridges 15 Works taken up
5 ROBs 2 Works taken up
6 Station Building 3 Works taken up
Moreover, to improve rail connectivity in Himachal Pradesh, Survey for Baddi-Ghanauli new line (25
Km) has been completed and Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared.
Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri New Line (63km)
Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri (63km) New Rail Line project has been sanctioned on cost sharing basis having
25% share of State Government of Himachal Pradesh and 75 % share of Central Government. Further,
full cost of land beyond Rs. 70 crore is to be borne by Government of Himachal Pradesh. Detailed
Estimate of the project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs.6753 crore including land cost of Rs. 1617 crore.
Land acquisition status:
In Himachal Pradesh, 124 Ha of land is required for the execution of the project. Against this
requirement, only 82 Ha have been provided by State Government of Himachal Pradesh. Work has been
taken up on the available land. Land beyond Bilaspur to Beri is yet to be handed over by Government of
Himachal Pradesh. Non-availability of land is adversely affecting the project.
An expenditure of Rs.7,729 crore has been incurred. Details are as under:
Total Expenditure Share of Govt. of Money deposited by Balance
(Cr)
Himachal Pradesh (50%) Govt. of Himachal Pradesh (Cr)
(Cr)
(Cr)
7,729 2,781 847 1,934
Status of the project:
S N Activity Scope Status
1 Tunnel 16 15 completed, Works taken up in balance 1
tunnel
2 Major Bridges 27 10 completed, Works taken up in 14 bridges
3 ROBs 8 6 completed, Works taken up in balance 2
ROBs
4 RUBs 5 4 completed, Works taken up in balance 1 RUB
5 Station Building 6 3 completed, Works taken up in balance 3
stationsThe progress of this project is affected due to non fulfillment of their commitments by State Govt.
The Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success depends upon the support of
Government of Himachal Pradesh.
Bilaspur – Manali – Leh New line (489 km)
Bilaspur – Manali – Leh new line is identified as strategic line by Ministry of Defence. The survey has
been completed and Detailed Project Report has been prepared. The project passes through difficult
terrain of Himalayas, which are full of geological surprises and numerous problems. The total length of
the project is 489 Km including tunnels of 270 km length. Anticipated cost of the project as per Detailed
Project Report is ₹1,31,000 crore.
The alignment passes through Beri, Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Sissu, Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang,
Rumtse, Upshi, Kharu and terminates at Leh Terminus, connecting important towns of Himachal Pradesh
and Ladakh.
Pathankot – Joginder Nagar Gauge Conversion (200 km)
Survey of Gauge Conversion of existing Pathankot – Joginder Nagar narrow gauge section (200 Km) has
been sanctioned and field survey has been taken up for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).
After preparation of DPR, sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders
including State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance,
Ministry of Defence etc. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines
cannot be fixed.
Himachal Pradesh :
Railway Budget:
Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/ partly in the state of
Himachal Pradesh is as under:
Period Outlay
2009-14 ₹108 crore/year
2025-26 ₹ 2716 Cr. (More than 25 times)
Projects sanctioned:
As on 01.04.2025, 03 new line of total length 214 km, costing ₹17,622 crore, falling fully/partly in the
state of Himachal Pradesh are in construction stage, out of which, 64 km length has been commissioned
and an expenditure of ₹8,280 crore has been incurred upto March, 2025. The status of work is
summarized as under:-
Category No. of Total Length Expenditure upto March
projects Length 2025
Commissioned (in
(in Km) (₹in Cr)
Km)
New Lines 3 214 64 8,280
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include the following:Land acquisition by State Government
Forest clearance
Shifting of infringing utilities
Statutory clearances from various authorities
Geological and topographical conditions of area
Law and order situation in the area of project site
Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc.
All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and
Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Rajya Sabha
today.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj
(Release ID: 2239818) Visitor Counter : 153
Read this release in: ही , Gujarati