Toy train and taxi operators hope for Kalka-Shimla rail line to resume

After being disrupted by natural calamities for nearly 60 days, the Kalka-Shimla railway line is set to resume operations from October 1. The landslides, floods and heavy rain had damaged the tracks and affected the train services on this route.

The monsoon season has disrupted the Kalka-Shimla railway line, a historic route that attracts many tourists to the Himalayan region. The train services have been suspended for almost two months due to landslides, floods and heavy rain.

This has affected the livelihoods of many transport, travel and taxi operators who rely on the train passengers for their business. Sohan Lal, a local taxi driver, said, "We have no work for more than two months. We hope the train services will resume soon. It will take another 8 to 10 days for the repairs to finish."

Vijayant Sharma, another transporter, said, "Shimla is a small city with many taxi unions. We have not seen a train here for a long time. We are facing difficulties in paying loans and salaries to drivers. I have been in this industry for over a decade, but this is the worst situation I have faced."

The transporters are eagerly waiting for the restoration and resumption of the train services on the heritage railway track, which is over 120 years old.

The toy train that runs on the Kalka-Shimla Railway is a popular attraction for foreign tourists who want to experience the scenic beauty and historical legacy of Himachal Pradesh. However, due to heavy rainfall that damaged the track and railway line at 352 places, many visitors have been unable to enjoy this facility.

One of them was Alexander, a tourist from Russia, who said, "I had planned to take the toy train from Kalka to Shimla, but the road was in bad condition and I had no choice but to travel by taxi, which was very costly for me. Shimla is a lovely city, with charming buildings and delicious food. I wish the train services on the railway line would resume soon so I could explore the hill state on it."

The Kalka-Shimla Railway was constructed between 1898 and 1903 by the British to connect Shimla, their summer capital in India, with the rest of the Indian rail network.

The 96-km railway line is an architectural marvel that passes through 18 stations, 102 tunnels and 988 bridges along the way, offering a glimpse of the stunning natural beauty and breathtaking views of the hill state.

In 2008, UNESCO added the Kalka-Shimla Railway to the mountain railways of India's World Heritage Site.

The repair work on the railway line began in July and has been completed at 327 locations, while work is still ongoing at the remaining 25.

The Railways Ministry had allocated ₹15 crore for the restoration and maintenance of the track.

The Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge railway, a UNESCO world heritage site, is expected to resume operations from October 1 after being suspended due to damage caused by heavy rainfall in the state.