Heritage Kalka-Shimla Railway services were restored up to Shimla after 82 days
UNSCO Heritage Kalka Shimla railway line commissioned by the Britisher in 1908 would be dedicated to the people again after remaining closed for 82 days due to the washing down of track and uprooting trees in monsoon season.
Additional SP Northern Railway Railway Tourists Traffic Narvir Rathore told us that the track inspection was done today around 1200hrs and it was restored.
He said that the fleet of two trains which are plying between Kalka and Taradevi earlier would now be extended to Shimla Railway station. He said that the railway would ply two services between Kalka and Shimla and vice versa from tomorrow onwards.
The track was put to the test on Monday and declared fit for plying of heritage toy train successfully. Railway officials completed a trial run from Kalka to Shimla Railway Station on Monday.
The toy train is now set to resume its regular schedule on the 96 km long Kalka-Shimla heritage rail track after being halted for about 82 days due to recent heavy rains.
Reportedly, a 7.39-meter-long bridge has been erected on the affected portion above Shiv baudi of Summerhill in Shimla. The bridge was installed in only 16 days by around 200 workers and engineers from Delhi, Ambala and Jalandhar.
Earlier the train services had already resumed up to Taradevi Railway Station from Kalka last week. Furthermore, a bridge near the rain-affected Shiv Bowri site is now ready to be commissioned, signaling the restoration of full service. It is expected that the Northern Railway will soon initiate the first train service between Taradevi, Jatogh, Summerhill, and Shimla railway stations after a 45-day hiatus.
The Northern Railway service primarily caters to tourists, providing daily transportation from Kalka to Shimla and vice versa. The recent rainy season took a toll on this world heritage track, causing damage with uprooted trees, landslides, and flash floods affecting railway property.
Given the significance of this train service for luxury tourists and the hospitality industry, both the local administration and the Northern Railway have been under pressure to ensure prompt restoration of service on the track.
Additionally, the recent construction of the Kalka-Shimla Four Lane project and the widening of other link roads have posed threats to the track’s stability, making it susceptible to debris and flash floods.
