Kangra, June 2
Former Union Minister and Member Parliament Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said that the results of Himachal Pradesh’s municipal corporation and panchayat elections reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the Congress government. He said BJP-backed candidates secured victories in several key areas and alleged that Congress was steadily losing public support in the state. Anurag Thakur further said that the Center has allocated Rs 2911 crore for railway expansion, modernisation, and electrification projects in Himachal Pradesh for the financial year 2026–27, calling it a record budget for the state.
Addressing a gathering at Kangra Railway Station during the restoration of the Kangra Valley rail service, Thakur said the allocation is nearly 27 times higher than the maximum Rs 104 crore provided to the state during the UPA government. He credited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for accelerating railway development in Himachal Pradesh over the last 12 years and claimed that the BJP government had carried out more railway development work than what Congress achieved in several decades.
Thakur said the issue of converting the Pathankot Jogindernagar railway line into broad gauge was raised before the Center along with MP Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj. He added that the project survey has already been completed, and that budget approval is awaited.
The BJP MP said nearly Rs 6798 crore has so far been spent on the Bhanupalli Bilaspur railway line project and expressed hope that the railway line would reach Bilaspur by the end of next year.
He also alleged that around Rs 2000 crore payable by the Himachal Pradesh government to the Center remains pending.
Referring to the restoration of rail services on the Pathankot Jogindernagar route after nearly two years, Thakur said the service had remained suspended after heavy rains damaged railway tracks and a bridge on the route.
He said the joint efforts of the Railway Department, the local administration, and public representatives helped restore service, which would provide major relief to people in the region.
Thakur congratulated railway officials and employees for resuming operations on the historic rail route and appreciated their efforts in restoring connectivity.
