Bilaspur DC Orders Speed-Up for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur Rail Project
Bilaspur Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar has taken a proactive stance to ensure the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur railway line project moves forward without delay. During an intensive inspection on October 16, 2026, the DC reviewed the progress of critical infrastructure, including Tunnel No. 16 and various bridge constructions, ordering officials to accelerate work immediately.
Strict Directives for RVNL and Contractors
Accompanied by SDM Sadar Rajkumar, the Deputy Commissioner met with representatives from Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and project construction companies. The primary focus was to ensure that site activities are expedited to meet the stipulated completion timeframe.
In a move to ease local transit issues, DC Kumar also ordered the immediate restoration of the Jabli road, which had been closed to facilitate the ongoing tunnel construction work.
Project Scope and Current Infrastructure Status
The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri broad-gauge project is a massive 63-kilometer undertaking. It is divided into two main segments:
- A 52-kilometer section from Bhanupalli to Bilaspur.
- An 11-kilometer stretch from Bilaspur to Beri.
As of the latest reports, significant milestones have been achieved, though much work remains. In the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur section, 15 of the 16 planned tunnels were completed by July 2026. The progress on other structures is as follows:
- Major Bridges: 10 of 27 completed.
- Minor Bridges: 39 of 49 completed.
- Road Over Bridges (ROB): 6 of 8 completed.
- Road Under Bridges (RUB/LHS): All 4 completed.
- Track Linking: 8 kilometers finished.
Financial and Legal Roadblocks
Despite the physical progress, the project is grappling with complex financial and legal challenges that threaten its momentum.
The Funding Gap
The project operates on a cost-sharing model where the Central government provides 75% of the funding and the Himachal Pradesh government covers the remaining 25%. While the state has deposited ₹847 crore of its ₹910 crore share, a deficit of approximately ₹63 crore remains. However, concerns are mounting as Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur noted that total pending state contributions could potentially reach as high as ₹2,192 crore.
Legal Setbacks
Adding to the complexity, the Himachal Pradesh High Court issued a ruling on October 1, 2026, which quashed preliminary land acquisition notifications for approximately 40.5 hectares (538 bighas) of land. The court cited the state government's failure to follow mandatory land acquisition laws and meet notification deadlines.
A Strategic Link to Leh-Ladakh
The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur project is a critical piece of a much larger puzzle: the proposed ₹1,31,000 crore Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway corridor.
Once completed, this line will serve as a vital link for providing all-weather connectivity to the Leh-Ladakh region, making it a project of immense strategic importance for the nation.