Himachal Pradesh rail, air services need expansion: MP

SHIMLA: Union minister of state for finance and corporate affairs Anurag Thakur said improvement of rail and air network was required in Himachal Pradesh to boost tourism.


He said the existing runways at Kullu and Shimla are short. He said in the first phase, Kangra airport would be expanded to ensure landing of wide-body aircraft even during low visibility.

Anurag said Nangal-Una-Talwara railway line had gained momentum in the last five years while the train is being run between Una and Daulatpur Chowk. He said work on Bhanupalli- Bilaspur rail line had started with the acquisition of land for 20-km track while work on additional 20-km track up to Beri would start soon after acquiring the required land.

He said Rs 6,000 crore would be spent for the construction of 51-km railway line, including big tunnels between Una and Hamirpur. Referring to the rail line between Chandigarh and Baddi, he said changing the alignment of rail line is under consideration.

Anurag said after the budget session was over, discussions were held with industries and consumers bodies and required measures were taken to strengthen and boost the economy after receiving the feedback. He said the inter-ministerial taskforce has been formed to finalize infrastructure projects worth over Rs 100 lakh crore over the next five years.

The minister said there was uncertainty in the automobile sector with regard to the fate of BS-IV stage vehicles after the implementation of BS-VI norms.

He said it has been made clear that BS-IV stage vehicles sold till March 31, 2020, will be registered for full period of 15 years or more. He said Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the repo rate wile public sector banks are being merged to enhance their capacity and to make them enable to compete with foreign banks.