Shock for the tourism industry: train services beyond Taradevi suspended

Shimla: Train services on the Shimla-Kalka narrow gauge railway line were suspended beyond Taradevi on Saturday as a precautionary measure after a railway bridge was washed away during the monsoon last year, officials said here on Saturday.

“Four out of seven trains have been suspended while two trains are running to Taradevi and one to Kandaghat,” railway officials said PTI.

According to tourism stakeholders, the suspension of train services has dealt a major blow to the tourism industry in Shimla as travellers flock to the hills during the ongoing summer season.

“Tourists are welcome in Shimla and there is no need to worry as the distance between Shimla and Taradevi railway station is only 11 km. The railway station is located beside the main road and we would request the transport department to run buses from Taradevi to make it more convenient for the commuters,” said MK Seth, president of Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association.

He said it was unfortunate that even after a year, the railway authorities were unable to make permanent arrangements and train services were suspended after two spells of rain.

“We are excited to see what will happen during the coming monsoon season,” he added.

“In addition, the railway authorities are not ready to talk and say when train services to Shimla will resume,” said Seth.

Last year, there were heavy rains in July and August, which affected train traffic. There was massive damage to the track in 20 to 25 places in July.

And in August, a landslide swept away a 50-metre-long bridge, leaving part of the tracks stuck near Summer Hill.

However, train services resumed in October after the affected sections of the track were repaired. The 96 km Shimla-Kalka railway line, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was laid through difficult, hilly terrain with 103 tunnels. Today, there are 102 tunnels, as one collapsed four decades ago.