Indian Railways has commenced work on an unprecedented strategic infrastructure project designed to establish all-weather connectivity right up to the China border in the high-altitude Ladakh region. Spanning a total length of 489 kilometers, the proposed broad-gauge railway line will originate in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and terminate in Leh. Designed to navigate through some of the most difficult mountainous terrains on the planet, nearly 55 percent of the total project length—amounting to approximately 270 kilometers—will pass through underground tunnels. The network will incorporate 62 major tunnels along with multiple smaller ones to complete the 270-kilometer subterranean track, while 115 major and minor bridges will span deep gorges and turbulent rivers.
World's Highest Railway Station to Surpass China's Tanggula
The centerpiece of this ambitious undertaking is the planned Tengla railway station, situated beneath the Tanglang La pass along the Manali-Leh highway. Set at an altitude of approximately 5,359 meters above sea level, Tengla will become the world's highest railway station once constructed. Currently, the record for the highest rail station is held by China's Tanggula station on the Qinghai-Tibet railway line in Tibet, which sits at an elevation of 5,068 meters. The new Indian station will exceed China's facility by 188 meters. Indian Railways has completed the detailed project report (DPR) and preliminary surveys for the project, estimating the total expenditure at around Rs 1.31 lakh crore. The final alignment will take the train from Bilaspur through Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, and Sissu, continuing onward through Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Rumtse, Upshi, and Kharu before reaching Leh.
India's First Underground Mountain Rail Station at Keylong
In addition to setting altitude records, the project will feature unique engineering achievements tailored for extreme mountain environments. At Keylong in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, Indian Railways will construct the country's first fully underground railway station. Situated at an elevation of around 3,000 meters, this station will be built inside a mountain tunnel section directly connected to the main rail line. The underground layout is specifically engineered to shield station operations from intense winter conditions, heavy snowfall, and recurring avalanches that frequently disrupt surface travel in the region.
Pressurized Cabins and Oxygen Systems Inspired by Aviation Technology
Operating passenger and supply trains at elevations exceeding 17,000 feet presents severe physiological challenges due to low atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen levels. To ensure safety and comfort for military personnel and civilian passengers, Indian Railways plans to build specialized train coaches utilizing principles from commercial aviation. Train cars will feature pressurized cabin structures designed to maintain comfortable internal air pressure. Passengers will also have access to dedicated emergency oxygen masks. Furthermore, to combat extreme ambient temperatures that drop between minus 30 and minus 40 degrees Celsius during winter months, all coaches will feature integrated heating systems.
Strategic Advantage for Defense and Major Boost for Regional Tourism
Beyond offering a monumental shift in civilian travel, the Bilaspur-Leh rail line carries massive geopolitical and defense significance. During peak winter months, heavy snow accumulation routinely closes highway passes, isolating the Ladakh region from the rest of India and complicating the transport of military supplies, weapons, and provisions to border defense posts. An all-weather rail line guarantees year-round logistical access for defense forces regardless of surface weather conditions. For travelers, the project will drastically reduce transit times across the north. The current road journey from Delhi to Leh, which takes approximately 40 hours, will be slashed in half to around 20 hours once the rail line becomes operational.
