Shimla: With Navratri and the broader festive calendar fast approaching, Indian Railways is gearing up to boost capacity on the historic Kalka‑Shimla line. A proposal to run supplementary services between Dharampur and Shimla is now moving through the Railway Board, awaiting a final timetable approval.
Trial Run of the First Extra Train
The authorities plan to introduce one additional train as a pilot. Should passenger loads justify it, a second service may be added later in the season. This step is intended to give travellers more options after they reach Dharampur and continue onward to Shimla.
Bridge Collapse Limits Regular Operations
A monsoon‑induced bridge failure near Taksal has forced the Kalka‑Shimla section into a truncated‑service mode. At present only a handful of trains operate between Dharampur and Shimla, prompting many passengers from Kalka and nearby towns to switch to road transport for the final leg.
The curtailed schedule is already running close to full capacity, and the expected influx of Navratri pilgrims could overwhelm the remaining slots.
Festive Travelers Projected to Surge
The extra trains would be a welcome relief for tourists and devotees heading to Shimla for the celebrations. A large contingent from West Bengal traditionally visits the hill station during Shardiya Navratri to worship at the Kalibari Temple.
Before the bridge incident, six daily trains linked Kalka and Shimla. The reduction has increased reliance on buses and private vehicles, making the proposed additions a vital alternative for those traveling from Dharampur.
Station Upgrades at Dharampur
Railway engineers are laying an auxiliary track at Dharampur station. This infrastructure will accommodate extra coaches and enable the new trains to be stabled locally, streamlining operations during the peak period.
According to Yashanjit Singh, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Ambala Railway Division, the phased rollout of the two trains is calibrated to match the festive surge and rising passenger numbers. The first service will be closely monitored; only if demand persists will the second train be activated.
This incremental strategy is expected to broaden travel choices for tourists, pilgrims, and daily commuters alike, easing pressure on the already strained Dharampur‑Shimla corridor.
