Title - HP seeks expansion of rail network

Shimla : Chief Parliamentary Secretary Rajesh Dharmani today said he was hopeful that the Centre would consider Himachal Pradesh’s request for the expansion of railway network in the state to be able to meet the needs of the industry, farmer and agriculturists.Dharmani said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had already taken up the matter with Union Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.He said the Chief Minister had sought the completion of the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line as per the decision taken at the meeting held in the Prime Minister’s Office on August 8, 2007, where it was decided to share the cost of executing this project in 75:25 ratio by the Central and state governments, respectively.Dharmani said the need for laying this broad-gauge rail line was necessary considering its economic and strategic importance. “With Himachal sharing an international boundary with China it is essential to extend the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge rail line up to the border to strengthen its strategic position and as such the Centre must approve the Manali-Leh rail line,” he said.He said this would also help promote tourism and facilitate travelling to these areas. He said the request put forth by the Chief Minister for the early execution of Ghanauli-Baddi-Kalka and Chandigarh-Baddi rail line would give a fillip to industrial growth. “Himachal has budgetary provisions for the early completion of these projects having national importance,” he said.