Outrage Erupts in Kangra Valley Over Proposal to Shift Railway Terminus from Pathankot
A proposal to relocate the main station of the historic Kangra Valley Railway from Pathankot to Dalhousie Road has sparked widespread outrage across the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Residents and stakeholders are vehemently opposing the move, labeling it as both impractical and unjustified, with fears that it will severely disrupt daily life and connectivity in the region.
Historical Significance and Current Concerns
The Kangra Valley Railway, a narrow-gauge line established during the British era, serves as a vital lifeline for the lower hill regions of Himachal Pradesh. It connects remote and rural areas through over two dozen stations spanning Kangra and Mandi districts. Pathankot has historically functioned as the primary gateway, offering seamless connectivity to major Indian cities via Pathankot Junction and Pathankot Cantonment.
Residents argue that shifting the operational terminus to Dalhousie Road, which is nearly 10 kilometres short of Pathankot, would create significant inconvenience. Daily commuters, students, traders, patients, defence personnel, and tourists would be forced to arrange additional transport, leading to increased travel time, higher costs, and unnecessary hardships. This proposal is seen as undermining decades of established connectivity that has supported livelihoods and regional mobility.
Flawed Rationale and Infrastructure Issues
The proposal is reportedly linked to traffic congestion at certain railway crossings in Pathankot. However, critics assert that this justification is fundamentally flawed and anti-people. They maintain that traffic bottlenecks should be addressed through infrastructure development, such as the construction of flyovers, underpasses, and improved traffic management systems, rather than weakening a crucial railway link.
Public dissatisfaction has been further aggravated by delays in restoring full rail services. Despite the completion of key infrastructure, including the rebuilt Chakki bridge section, successful trial runs, and safety clearance granted by the Commissioner of Railway Safety, regular operations have not resumed. This has left the local population frustrated and questioning the intent behind the delay.
Political Dimensions and Public Opposition
The issue has acquired a political dimension, with apprehensions that electoral considerations in neighbouring Punjab may be influencing the decision. Residents fear that the interests of lakhs of people in Kangra and Mandi districts are being sidelined in favour of limited administrative convenience.
Voicing strong opposition, members of various local organisations, including Satish Sharma, Suresh Kumar, and Subhash Sharma, have demanded that the main station remain at Pathankot and that the proposal to shift operations be immediately withdrawn. They have also called for meaningful public consultation before any final decision is taken.
The groups have urged Members of Parliament, such as Anurag Thakur, Rajeev Bhardwaj, Indu Bala Goswami, and Kangana Ranaut, to raise the issue with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and ensure that regional concerns are addressed in Parliament.
