Former Union Minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur has said that the Central Government has allocated ₹2,911 crore in 2026-27 for the expansion, modernisation and electrification of railway projects in Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking at Kangra Railway Station on the occasion of the restoration of the Kangra Valley rail service, Mr Thakur said the allocation is nearly 27 times higher than the highest funding of ₹104 crore during the previous UPA government. He said the present government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has carried out unprecedented railway development in the state over the past 12 years. He also claimed that more railway development work has been undertaken by the BJP government in 70 years compared to previous regimes.

Mr Thakur informed that the Pathankot-Jogindernagar line gauge conversion proposal has been completed in survey stage and awaits budget approval. He said work on the Bhanupali-Bilaspur rail line is progressing, with ₹6,798 crore already spent. He added that the Pathankot-Jogindernagar service has resumed after two years following repair of damaged tracks and a collapsed bridge during monsoon.