Bhanupali-Bilaspur Railway Project: Major Milestone Reached
The Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway project reaches a major milestone with track-laying nearing completion. Read about the latest updates and legal hurdles.
The Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway project is rapidly advancing toward its commissioning phase. Significant progress has been made on the track-laying front near Shri Naina Devi, bringing the line closer to operational status.
Rapid Progress on the 63 km Line
Managed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the project has seen substantial progress on its 52 km Bhanupali-Bilaspur segment. Out of the 16 required tunnels, 15 have already been successfully completed.
Current track-laying activities have successfully covered the initial 3 km stretch from Bhanupali to Thalu, with plans to expand across a 26 km section. Officials are currently awaiting formal commissioning approval, with an immediate operational target set for the stretch between Bhanupali and Dharot.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Funding
To support future operations, the Bhanupali railway yard is undergoing significant upgrades. The new eight-lane design will feature six lanes dedicated to passenger services and two lanes for freight.
The project is a collaborative venture between the Central and State governments. The Central Government is providing 75 percent of the funding, while the Himachal Pradesh State Government is covering the remaining 25 percent.
Legal Hurdles in the Barmana Area
Despite the construction success, the project has encountered a significant administrative challenge. Following a ruling by the Himachal Pradesh High Court on September 30, 2026, land acquisition notifications for the Barmana area in the Bilaspur district were quashed.
The court cited violations of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, noting that time extensions had been granted repeatedly without sufficient written justification. As a result, the state government must now restart the statutory acquisition process for this specific work front.
A Strategic Link to Ladakh
This railway line serves as a crucial foundation for the much larger Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh corridor. Once fully operational, the route is intended to provide all-weather access to Ladakh, playing a vital role in both strategic military logistics and regional economic growth.