By The Union Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently provided an important update regarding the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri new rail line project. During a session in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the minister explained that the project is facing several hurdles that are slowing down construction. The biggest problems are that the required land has not been fully handed over and there is a shortage of funds from the state government. This railway line is very important for the region because it is designed to eventually connect Punjab and Himachal Pradesh with the strategic border areas of Ladakh.
The project covers a total distance of sixty-three kilometers and is being built on a cost-sharing basis. Under this agreement, the Central Government pays seventy-five percent of the costs, while the Himachal Pradesh government is responsible for the remaining twenty-five percent. However, the minister informed the house that the state government has not yet deposited its full share of the money. Out of the total required amount of two thousand seven hundred and eighty-one crore rupees from the state, only eight hundred and forty-seven crore rupees have been received so far. This leaves a large gap of one thousand nine hundred and thirty-four crore rupees which is making it difficult to keep the work moving at a fast pace.
Land acquisition is another major challenge that is affecting the timeline of the project. For the railway line to be completed in Himachal Pradesh, a total of one hundred and twenty-four hectares of land is needed. So far, the state government has only handed over eighty-two hectares to the railway authorities. The minister specifically pointed out that the land between Bilaspur and Beri is still not available for construction. Without this land, engineers cannot start building the tracks, bridges, and tunnels needed for that specific section of the route.
Despite these challenges, a significant amount of work has already been done on the land that is available. So far, the total expenditure on the project has reached seven thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine crore rupees. The railway department has been working hard to build tunnels and bridges in the difficult mountain terrain. This project is considered one of the most difficult engineering tasks in India because it passes through high mountains and areas with very cold weather. The minister emphasized that the success of the project now depends heavily on the support and cooperation of the Himachal Pradesh government.
The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri line is not just a local project but part of a larger national plan. It is the first step toward the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line, which is very important for national security and the Indian Army. Once finished, it will provide an all-weather way to reach the high-altitude border areas. The central government has increased the budget for railway work in Himachal Pradesh significantly to help complete these projects. For the year 2025-2026, over two thousand seven hundred crore rupees have been allocated to improve the rail network and safety in the state.
The Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri rail line project is facing delays due to pending land acquisition and funding gaps from Himachal Pradesh. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that only part of the required state share and land has been provided. The 63 km project is crucial for future connectivity to Ladakh and national security. Work continues on available sections, but faster progress depends on state cooperation.
