Railway line to be expanded in state : Govind Singh Thakur

Shimla : Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur here today presided over the review meeting of railway projects through video conferencing. The Minister said that it is important to expand rail line from strategic point of view in state.He said that keeping national security in view international agency has conducted 22 surveys through satellite image system for strategically important 475 Km long Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line. As many as 30 railway stations have been proposed to be constructed on this world’s longest railway line. He said that a survey would also be conducted with the help of radar for this railway line.He directed the officials to complete all other formalities including land acquisition for this railway line soon. Transport minister urged the officials of railways and National Highway Authority of India to conduct a joint survey to check the incidents of falling of debris on the world heritage Kalka-Shimla railway line.He said that all security arrangements such as parapets and boundary walls will be made to prevent such incidents. For Una-Talwara railway line the formalities related to land acquisition and forest department should be completed soon, he added. He instructed the officials for repair of old railway line and removing dried trees in a time bound manner.Chief General Manager, Ropeway and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RPDC) Ajay Sharma conducted the proceedings of the meeting.Principal Secretary, Transport K.K. Pant, Concerned Deputy Commissioners and officials of Forest and National Highway Authority of India were present during the meeting.