Northern Railway deploys emergency teams after heavy rains damage Kalka Shimla line
Following heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh on the night of Saturday, August 29, 2026, the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka-Shimla railway line has faced significant damage, resulting in the suspension of all train services. Yashanjeet Singh, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Railway Board, Ambala, confirmed that a culvert, identified as Bridge No. 57, was washed away between the Gumman and Taksal railway stations, leaving a section of the track suspended.
Key updates on the Kalka-Shimla railway line disruption:
- Heavy rainfall on August 29, 2026, washed away Bridge No. 57 between Gumman and Taksal stations.
- All train services on the UNESCO World Heritage route remain temporarily suspended.
- Ten trains have been cancelled by Northern Railway, comprising five in the up direction and five in the down direction.
- 391 passengers, along with 40 train crew and IRCTC personnel, were safely evacuated by road to Kalka after short-termination at Solan, Koti, and Dharampur.
- Food packets and drinking water were distributed to affected travelers at Kalka station.
Train Cancellations and Passenger Assistance
While most train cancellations are slated until September 1, 2026, specific services, including trains 52451-52 and 52459-60, remain cancelled through September 13, 2026. Affected passengers were safely evacuated by road transport to Kalka after their trains were short-terminated at stations including Solan, Koti, and Dharampur. At Kalka station, railway officials actively provided food packets and water to affected travelers to mitigate inconvenience during this sudden disruption.
Track Restoration and Safety Status
Railway engineering and restoration teams, supported by officials such as Chief Commercial Inspectors Vipin Paudwal and Darshan Singh Gill, are working continuously to repair the track following the initial report by local resident Hardeep Singh of Kalka. While initial estimates suggest a two-to-three-day recovery timeline, officials noted that completion may extend beyond a week depending on weather conditions and the volume of civil work required. Railway authorities have firmly stated that services will only resume once the affected section is thoroughly inspected and declared safe. Northern Railway remains on high alert, monitoring sensitive locations for landslides and waterlogging, and strongly advises passengers to verify the status of their journeys and inquire about refunds or rescheduling before traveling.