A major incident has emerged from the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, where soil washed away from beneath the railway tracks following heavy downpours, leading to sweeping cancellations of train services. Northern Railway reported on Sunday that a massive hill slip severely disrupted the vital Kalka-Shimla route. A connecting bridge along this narrow gauge section was left partially exposed after earth gave way, prompting authorities to swiftly evacuate at least 391 passengers and 40 train crew members to the safety of Kalka. According to official details, continuous monsoon rains triggered the hill slip late Saturday night, severely weakening a specific portion of the track situated between the Koti and Gumman stations.
Landslide Strikes Between Koti and Gumman Stations
An official press release issued by the railway authorities stated that following the landslide at Bridge Number 57 located between Koti and Gumman stations on the Shimla-Kalka UNESCO World Heritage section, Northern Railway officials immediately launched a seamless rescue operation to prevent passenger hardship. In the wake of this sudden disruption, four oncoming trains were halted mid-journey. The railway administration arranged five buses and two tempo travellers to safely transport more than 400 passengers and crew members who had been stranded across Solan, Dharampur, and Koti.
Over Four Hundred Passengers Successfully Evacuated
The press note further elaborated that while local commuters were transported directly to their respective destinations via alternative road transport, roughly 120 passengers were accommodated aboard train number 13052, the departure time of which was specifically rescheduled to 1:30 AM to clear the backlog. The public transporter highlighted that due to the swift action of Northern Railway personnel, efficient transhipment arrangements, and empathetic passenger care, the entire rescue operation ran smoothly. Consequently, no passenger lodged any complaint or refund request upon reaching Kalka station.
Ten Trains Cancelled Amid Heritage Route Disruptions
Prior to these updates, officials confirmed that soil erosion beneath a critical segment of the railway track in Solan district forced the cancellation of ten trains along the Shimla-Kalka narrow gauge line. Due to these cancellations, the Shimla railway station, which typically remains vibrant and crowded with tourists and travelers over the weekend, wore a remarkably deserted look on Sunday. Train services along this Kalka-Shimla heritage line have suffered repeated disruptions throughout the ongoing monsoon season due to incessant rains and recurrent landslides. Spanning 96 kilometers through breathtaking yet treacherous terrain, the Shimla-Kalka line is celebrated as an exceptional feat of engineering and a prime tourist magnet, featuring an astonishing 102 tunnels, 800 bridges, and 919 sharp curves along its route.
