The North News
New Delhi, December 13
A key railway project linking Bhanupalli, Bilaspur and Beri in Himachal Pradesh has been affected by land acquisition delays and pending financial contributions from the state government, Parliament has been told. The 63-kilometre Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri new rail line was sanctioned on a cost-sharing basis, with 75% of the funding to be provided by the central government and 25% by the Himachal Pradesh government. The state government is also required to bear the full cost of land beyond ₹70 crore.
According to the government, the detailed estimate for the project was approved at ₹6,753 crore, including land costs of ₹1,617 crore. Of the 124 hectares of land required in Himachal Pradesh, only 82 hectares have so far been handed over. Construction has begun on the available land, but work on the Bilaspur–Beri stretch is yet to start due to non-availability of land.
The total expenditure incurred on the project so far stands at ₹5,252 crore. Under the agreed cost-sharing arrangement, Himachal Pradesh was expected to contribute ₹2,711 crore, but has deposited only ₹847 crore, leaving a balance of ₹1,863 crore. Officials said the shortfall has further slowed progress.
The central government said it was ready to execute the project, but stressed that timely support from the state government was essential for faster completion.
The railways ministry also outlined progress on other connectivity projects in Himachal Pradesh. The 60-kilometre Nangal Dam–Una–Andaura–Daulatpur Chowk section has been commissioned, while work is under way on the Daulatpur Chowk–Talwara section via Punjab. Construction has also begun on the 28-kilometre Chandigarh–Baddi rail line at an estimated cost of ₹1,540 crore.
Surveys and detailed project reports have been completed for the proposed Baddi–Ghanauli new line and the Bilaspur–Manali–Leh railway, which has been identified as a strategic project by the Ministry of Defence. The latter, passing through challenging Himalayan terrain, is planned over 489 kilometres, including around 270 kilometres of tunnels, with an estimated cost of ₹1.31 trillion.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the sanction and completion of railway projects depended on several factors, including traffic potential, funding availability, land acquisition, statutory clearances, geological conditions and law-and-order issues.
