Shimla, Nov 09: The broad gauge railway line linking Kalka with Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh would be constructed within a year, the Nangal-Una-Talwara line by end of March 2004, following which Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Rampur broad gauge railway line would be taken up for completing necessary formalities and financial tie-ups, railway Minister Nitish Kumar announced here today. Inaugurating the week long Kalka-Shimla Railways centenary celebrations here, he said a museum would be set up at Shimla in the memory of Baba Bhalku, who was instrumental in tracing the alignment of the railway line.

The railway minister said his ministry had agreed to the proposal of the state government for construction of a multi-storey parking in the area between Shimla Railway station extension and victory tunnel and modalities in this regard would be finalised soon. He said Indian Railway has set up a catering and tourism corporation which would work in close cooperation with Himachal Tourism Development Corporation for finalising various packages to attract tourists.

Bureau Report