Landslide Disrupts Train Services in Kangra Valley
Train Operations Halted Due to Landslide
Vikal Sharma
PALAMPUR: Train operations between Baijnath and Nurpur were suspended on Friday, July 4, 2025, following a significant landslide near Ranital that disrupted the already vulnerable Kangra Valley railway network, cutting off an essential transport route in the area.
The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley railway had only recently resumed limited services between Nurpur and Baijnath after the collapse of the Chakki Bridge. However, it has now come to a complete stop again. The beloved toy train, which currently operates solely between Kangra and Baijnath, cannot proceed to Nurpur Road (Jassur) due to hazardous conditions caused by new landslides.
Impact on Locals and Pilgrims
This disruption has created considerable difficulties for local residents who depend on this railway, especially given the limited bus services available, particularly between Jawalamukhi Temple and Jasoor. Pilgrims traveling to the revered Jawalaji Temple are especially impacted, as Ranital station serves as the main access point to the temple.
Efforts to restore the collapsed Chakki Bridge, which previously linked Pathankot to Kangra, are still far from completion. Authorities now project that the bridge will not be operational until at least March 2026.
Historical Railway Line in Decline
The 120-km Kangra Valley railway, established by the British in 1932, connects significant cultural and religious towns across Kangra and parts of Mandi district. Despite its historical importance, the line has not seen any expansion or modernization in over 80 years.
Numerous proposals to upgrade the narrow-gauge track to broad gauge have been suggested over the years, but none have been realized. The condition of the route, particularly the section between Pathankot and Jogindernagar, has progressively worsened, especially in the last decade.
Abandoned Strategic Plans
In 2003, the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee proposed a strategic railway connection from Pathankot to Leh via Manali, passing through Kangra, inspired by lessons learned from the 1999 Kargil War. This route was deemed strategically beneficial, lying outside the range of Pakistani artillery.
However, the current NDA government has altered the proposed route, excluding the Kangra Valley entirely. This decision has left local residents feeling neglected and disconnected from broader national development initiatives.