P.K Dhumal, the Chief Minister today announced that the 96 kms long Kalka-Shimla Railway Line has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, giving the state a rare honor. The proposed dedication ceremony of the railway line is scheduled to be held in November, 2008 while the 0.76 meter wide heritage railway line would be preserved. Built in 1903 with 103 tunnels, 969 bridges, 919 curves and 20 railway stations, the narrow gauge engineering marvel is a historical asset for the state.
Chief Minister further said that there is also a heritage steam train services available for chartered train operation. He said that the first section is from Kalka to Taksal and is across the foothills to enter the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. He further said that second section is about 70 kms. long in Solan district from Taksal section to Kaithlee Ghat. He said that Koti, Dharmpur, Badog, Solan, Salogra, Kandaghat, Kanoh and Kaithlee Ghat are significant settlements along the route and Koti, Dharmpur and Badog are main tunnels in the section.
