Himachal gets new train, skill development centre

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh Tuesday got one new train and other projects from Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, but the state’s opposition BJP described the railway budget for 2013-14 as “disappointing”.

Presenting the annual budget of his ministry in Lok Sabha, Bansal announced starting a new express train between Una and Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra, known for its Sikh shrine.

Named Una-Hazur Sahib Nanded Express, the train will run once in a week via Anandpur Sahib, Morinda, Chandigarh and Ambala.

Bansal also announced to conduct surveys in the next fiscal for Amb-Kangra via Nadaun, Baddi-Bilaspur and Dharamsala-Palampur rail lines, all located in low hills.

As part of skill development of the youths in railway-related trades, the minister announced to set up one of the 25 centres in Shimla.

On the strategically important Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line connecting Himachal and Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, adjoining China border, Bansal announced he would pursue approval of certain projects of national importance, including this line.

BJP’s national vice-president Shanta Kumar, who belongs to the hill state, described the railway budget as discriminatory and disappointing.

“Despite the strategic importance of the Mandi-Manali-Leh rail line, the central government has been indifferent towards its construction,” he said in a statement here.