Indian Railways and Himachal Pradesh Plan Kalka Shimla Heritage Tourism Growth

The Railway Board and the Himachal Pradesh government are collaborating to develop the historic Kalka-Shimla railway as a premier center for rail heritage and tourism. During a high-level meeting held on August 22, 2026, officials outlined comprehensive plans to promote the route’s rich cultural and architectural significance through engaging digital media campaigns, including reels and short films. The joint initiative also aims to significantly enhance rail-based tourism by increasing the availability of special coaches and implementing a more effective promotional strategy for the historic narrow-gauge line.

Heritage Preservation and Security Upgrades

Dedicated efforts to preserve the route’s historical buildings and unique architecture are currently underway alongside crucial security upgrades. As of August 10, 2026, RailTel Corporation India Limited has been officially tasked with installing approximately 160 high-tech CCTV cameras across 16 stations to ensure round-the-clock 24-hour surveillance for passenger safety.

Weather Challenges and Passenger Safety

Operational challenges continue to persist due to extreme monsoon weather conditions in the hilly terrain. On August 20, 2026, the Kalka-Shimla Express, carrying 172 passengers, was forced to halt between Gumman and Koti stations due to an unexpected landslide. Promptly responding to the situation, the Indian Army assisted in the safe evacuation of all passengers onboard. Previously, between August 3 and August 5, 2026, four vital train services—including the 52451/52452 Shivalik Deluxe Express and the 52459/52460 Kalka-Shimla Express—were temporarily suspended due to heavy monsoon rains and safety concerns.

Yashanjit Singh, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Ambala Division, stated that passenger safety remains the highest priority for the administration, noting that dedicated engineering teams continue to continuously monitor the mountain tracks for potential mudslides and debris.

Fiscal Hurdles and Green Energy Goals

Broader railway infrastructure development in the hill state currently faces significant fiscal hurdles. On August 6, 2026, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha that the Himachal Pradesh government’s delay in depositing its share of project costs, totaling Rs 2,264 crore, is negatively impacting the progress of other regional rail infrastructure projects, such as the Chandigarh-Baddi and Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri lines.

Additionally, looking toward sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has previously advocated for converting the iconic Kalka-Shimla line to green hydrogen power as a key part of the state’s broader environmental goals.