Attention railway passengers! The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, on Friday, announced a significant development for devotees from Himachal Pradesh travelling to the sacred city of Prayagraj. The extension of the Indore-Chandigarh Express to Una, Himachal Pradesh, has been approved by the Indian Railways, facilitating direct travel to Prayagraj.
Thakur also reiterated his commitment to the development of ‘Devbhoomi’ and enhancing connectivity within the region. He emphasized the significance of Prayagraj as a major religious site and acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers due to the lack of direct train connectivity from Himachal Pradesh to Prayagraj.
Indore-Chandigarh Express: Timing
The extension of the Indore-Chandigarh Express, which previously operated twice a week, will now provide direct access from Una to Indore. The schedule for Train number 19307/08, which is the Indore-Chandigarh Express is as follows:
The train will depart from Indore at 5:30 in the morning and will arrive in Una at 8:35 the following morning. Likewise, it will be departing from Una at 1:50 in the afternoon and will reach Indore at 3:05 in the afternoon on the subsequent day. Detailed timings will be made available shortly.
Ongoing Infrastructure Developments
Thakur further elaborated on recent developments in railway infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh. He cited the extension of the train from Una to Saharanpur till Haridwar and the approval for the construction of a bridge over the Chakki River, facilitating rail service between Pathankot and Jogindernagar. Additionally, efforts are underway to restore the rail track between Kangra and Nurpur.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to development, Thakur praised the Modi government’s initiatives in Himachal Pradesh. He mentioned the introduction of the Vande Bharat train in Una and emphasized ongoing efforts to address connectivity issues. Significant allocations have been made for railway expansion in the state, with a focus on key projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and infrastructure.
Railway expansion projects in Himachal Pradesh
In the fiscal year 2023-24, a substantial allocation of Rs. 1838 crore has been earmarked for railway expansion projects in Himachal Pradesh. Within this budget, specific amounts have been allotted for key railway lines: Rs. 1000 crore for the strategic Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri rail line, Rs. 450 crore for the Chandigarh-Baddi rail line, and Rs. 452 crore for the Nangal-Talwara rail line. Notably, this allocation marks a significant increase compared to the railway expansion funding during the UPA regime from 2009 to 2014, standing at 17 times higher. Presently, progress is underway on four major projects spanning 258 kilometers across the state, with a combined estimated cost of Rs. 19,556 crore.
There are also long-standing demands for infrastructural improvements in the Gagret Assembly constituency of Una district. Thakur listed various projects approved by the government, including the construction of bridges, electrification of railway lines, and expansion of railway stations, which are poised to benefit the entire state.
Una-Hamirpur railway line
Emphasizing the economic and social significance of railway connectivity, Thakur highlighted the importance of the Una-Hamirpur railway line. He underscored its potential to enhance religious and tourism activities, facilitate travel for defense personnel, and boost the state’s economy. The joint contribution from the Himachal Pradesh government and the Central government reflects their shared commitment to realizing this transformative project.