Mohali: A massive expansion of the country’s mountain railway network is gathering pace across Himachal Pradesh, with authorities moving to unlock the strategic and industrial potential of the rugged border state through a series of ambitious engineering feats.The multi-project initiative, centered on new corridors and high-altitude links, aims to connect Asia’s largest pharmaceutical hubs with the remote frontiers of Leh in the joint capital of Ladakh, signalling a paradigm shift for regional trade and national security.Industrial and Strategic CorridorsThe expansion is headlined by two critical projects designed to bridge the gap between the country’s industrial heartland and its sensitive northern borders. In the Chandigarh-Baddi link (33km) project, about 75% of viaduct construction is now complete. This line is set to revolutionise logistics for the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt, one of the world’s most significant pharmaceutical manufacturing clusters.For the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line (489km), a monumental high-altitude corridor, a detailed project report (DPR) has been finalised. Once constructed, it will link Mandi, Manali, and Keylong to the border regions, providing year-round strategic mobility and tourism access to the Ladakh plateau. Railway officials confirmed significant progress on existing extensions that improve the flow of traffic between Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring Punjab.Engineering ChallengesWhile technical milestones are being met — including the completion of dozens of tunnels through unstable Himalayan strata — officials noted that the pace of the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri line remains contingent on local cooperation. “The timely completion of this strategically important line depends heavily on continued support and coordination from the Himachal Pradesh state govt, particularly regarding land acquisition and environmental clearances,” a railway spokesperson said.The projects are expected to drastically reduce transit times for both freight and passengers, providing a modern alternative to the region’s notoriously treacherous mountain roads. MSID:: 129633204 413 |
