Amb (Una), July 17: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri urged the Central Government to provide special financial support for key railway projects in Himachal Pradesh and to fast-track the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur, Chandigarh-Baddi, and Una-Hamirpur rail projects on a priority basis. He stated that strengthening rail and air connectivity is essential for the holistic development of this mountainous state and that, given the challenging geographical terrain, the Central Government should adopt an approach of special support towards Himachal Pradesh.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing a function held at the Amb-Andaura railway station, which has been redeveloped under the 'Amrit Bharat Station Scheme'. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated 75 redeveloped 'Amrit' railway stations across the country from Jalandhar, including the Amb-Andaura station. The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that the modernized Amb-Andaura railway station is a source of pride for Una district.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this initiative, he noted that the station, equipped with modern amenities, would provide superior and convenient services to passengers. Since receiving railway station status in 2011, it has emerged as a vital hub for the region's transport network. Currently, five trains operate from here daily, benefiting thousands of passengers from Una and neighboring districts.
The Deputy Chief Minister mentioned that the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur rail line project was approved in 2007. At that time, the estimated cost was approximately ?1,000 crore, a figure that has now risen to ?13,446 crore. The state government has already contributed around ?847 crore to this project. He urged the Centre to accept the state government's contribution as a 'one-time grant' and to bear the entire cost of constructing the rail line beyond Bilaspur.
He further stated that the state government has contributed approximately ?348 crore towards the 38-kilometer-long Chandigarh-Baddi rail project. He urged that this amount be accepted as a one-time grant and requested the provision of necessary financial support for the remaining works of the project.
Advocating for the advancement of the Una-Hamirpur rail project on a priority basis, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that this approximately 40-kilometer-long rail line would not only strengthen regional connectivity but also provide fresh impetus to economic, social, and tourism activities.
He mentioned that efforts are underway to associate the name of Mata Shri Chintpurni Ji with the Amb-Andaura railway station. He also urged Northern Railway officials to provide a suitable location within the railway station premises to install a symbol or emblem dedicated to Mata Shri Chintpurni Ji.
The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that the Jaijon-Polian-Mehatpur rail line is crucial for the state's industrial development, particularly for the proposed Bulk Drug Park. He stated that he would soon meet the Prime Minister to secure early approval for this project.
On this occasion, Chintpurni Assembly constituency MLA Sudarshan Singh Bablu, former Minister Virender Kanwar, former MLAs Balbir Chaudhary and Chaitanya Sharma, State Congress Committee General Secretary Ranjeet Singh Rana, Block Congress Committee President Dr. Ravindra, Amb Nagar Panchayat President Anusuiya Devi, Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal, Superintendent of Police Sachin Hiremath, Northern Railway Chief Commercial Manager (CCM) Anshuman Kumar, along with senior railway officials and a large number of dignitaries, were present.