Portals on Bilaspur rail line connected

Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, February 24

In a breakthrough, the north and south portals of a tunnel on the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur railway line were connected yesterday.

The railway line will initially be 65 km and be constructed up to Beri village. The stretch will have seven tunnels. The railway line was declared a national project and proposed to be extended up to Leh.

JS Mehrak, project in-charge and principal executive director of the Railway Development Corporation, said both portals were connected within the stipulated time. The construction on the track was done in nine phases. There would be seven tunnels and five bridges. Mehrak said the railway line to Beri in Bilaspur would be completed by 2024.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, former Chief Minister, said the railway line to Bilaspur was his dream project. The railway network would also help in boosting economy of the state. Once completed, it would be a tourism attraction.