Forest fires affect Heritage Kalka Shimla train operations amidst growing heatwave

Shimls, May 28,

The ongoing spree of forest fires in Himachal Pradesh, exacerbated by a severe heatwave, has also disrupted the operations of the heritage Kalka-Shimla rail track.

On Monday, a fire broke out between Shoghi and Kathleghat stations, delaying the 52458 Express from Shimla to Kalka by an hour and a half, causing substantial inconvenience to passengers. Similarly, a fire near the Dharampur-Kumarhatti section forced the 52460 Express to halt in the middle of a forest, affecting subsequent trains as well.

The Kalka-Shimla railway, a 117-year-old site is currently facing significant environmental and maintenance challenges. Massive construction activities in the region and the lack of proper fire line clearance by both the railway authorities and the forest department have exacerbated the situation.

The disruption of train services due to forest fires not only affects the schedules but also causes distress to passengers. The delays can lead to missed connections and altered travel plans, adding to the inconvenience.

The Railway authorities are actively deploying teams to control the fires and ensure passenger safety. According to Naveen Kumar, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Ambala, the railway team is stationed at key points to manage and extinguish the fires promptly. Despite these efforts, the persistent fires remain a significant challenge, threatening the timely operation of this historic rail line and causing ongoing disruptions for travelers.

Noteworthy that more than 100 differemt forest fires have been reported across the state of Himachal Pradesh in the past 3-4days.