Shimla Member of Parliament Suresh Kashyap has renewed calls in the Lok Sabha for a dedicated rail line to connect the pharmaceutical industrial clusters of Paonta Sahib and Kala Amb in Himachal Pradesh. The move is seen as a strategic push to improve infrastructure and industrial connectivity in the region, which is home to some of the top pharmaceutical manufacturing zones in India and Asia.

Speaking in Parliament, Kashyap emphasized the urgent need for a railway link to support the logistics of pharmaceutical products and raw materials. He said the lack of connectivity continues to hamper efficient goods movement, resulting in higher transportation costs and delayed deliveries. According to the MP, the proposed rail line would unlock economic potential for the region, which already plays a significant role in India's pharma supply chain.

A preliminary engineering-cum-traffic survey for a 62-kilometer rail corridor between Jagadhri and Paonta Sahib was completed in 2022 and submitted to the Railway Board for evaluation. Another broader route connecting Ghanauli to Dehradun via Kala Amb and Paonta Sahib was also surveyed. Both alignments are considered long-term infrastructure enhancements, pending economic viability assessments.

Despite completing the surveys, the proposals were not included in recent budgets. In a statement to Parliament in late 2023, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that both lines had been shelved due to poor traffic projections and unviable financial returns. The projected rate of return for these lines was negative, making their inclusion in current development plans financially untenable. No allocation was made in the 2024 interim budget for the projects.

Still, Kashyap insisted that the projects be revived and re-evaluated, considering the region's growing industrial needs. He pointed out that the state's industrial towns, including Paonta Sahib and Kala Amb, are expanding rapidly and require efficient rail logistics to remain competitive. Currently, the transportation of pharmaceutical goods from these hubs relies heavily on road networks, which are often congested and costly.

The renewed demand for rail connectivity also comes amid broader discussions about improving infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. Four new rail lines are in various stages of planning or construction across the state, spanning a combined length of 255 kilometers and involving an estimated investment of over ₹13,000 crore. As of March 2024, around ₹6,200 crore had already been spent, and about 61 kilometers of track had been commissioned. Projects like the Bhanupalli–Bilaspur–Beri and Chandigarh–Baddi lines, both undertaken on a cost-sharing basis with the Himachal Pradesh government, have seen progress but are currently slowed by funding and land acquisition delays.

Kashyap's latest parliamentary intervention is viewed as a bid to revive the stalled Paonta Sahib rail link by positioning it within the broader context of national industrial growth. He highlighted that improved connectivity would benefit pharma manufacturers, enhance pilgrim access to the historical town of Paonta Sahib, and boost regional tourism.

However, challenges remain significant. Funding constraints, land acquisition issues, environmental clearance processes, and low projected freight volumes continue to pose hurdles to immediate approval. Yet the region's political backing and industrial relevance could bring the matter back into national planning frameworks if future studies can demonstrate improved viability.

The proposed Paonta Sahib–Kala Amb rail corridor will be closely watched as industrial zones across India demand better last-mile logistics. It could serve as a benchmark for similar infrastructure efforts in other growing manufacturing regions if realized. The project's fate now hinges on updated traffic assessments and whether state and central authorities can align on its strategic importance.

Sources: The Times of India, Himachal Tonite, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, Parliamentary Replies from Lok Sabha archives.