UNESCO World Heritage site Kalka-Shimla railway line affected by heavy rain and floods

The relentless rain and flood situation in Himachal Pradesh has caused tremendous loss of life and property, the most recent one being the historic 94-km Kalka-Shimla railway line. The railway line is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A part of the iconic railway line, located between Summer Hill and Jutogh stations got washed away in a massive landslide. A stretch of the railway track, suspended in the air, is what’s left now. The Kalka-Shimla railway line was opened to the public in 1903!

The operations have stopped for now and, if reports are to go by, it is going to take quite some time to make it operational again.



Ever since the start of the monsoon season, the state has been battered with relentless flooding. The railway route has seen over 150 disruptions since last month due to incessant rains, debris on the railway track, fallen trees and boulders and on-again-off-again hill slips. For a short period of time, the Solan-Shimla stretch was functional. Now, after the most recent flooding, the route has been shut down once more.


What makes the railway route so endearing is the fact that the journey on this route is one of the most beautiful train journeys in India. At present, the route has 102 tunnels and 919 curves between 20 stations. Also, there are 880 bridges on this route. It takes about five hours to ride one way on this scenic 96.6 km route. That’s the beauty of the historic toy train, it lets you enjoy the journey.


As per the authorities, if the rain relaxes and there are no more floods, the railway route will be functional again in a month’s time.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Kalka-Shimla Railway Line is a historic narrow-gauge railway track that spans approximately 96 km and traverses through some of the most beautiful locations in the region. The railway line comes under the UNESCO World Heritage Site named Mountain Railways of India. It shares the title with other two sites – Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Nilgiri Mountain Railway.


These railways are beyond impressive and are excellent examples of engineering and innovation in difficult terrains. These have a tremendous role to play when it comes to the social and economic development of the regions where they are located.


The Kalka-Shimla Railway Line is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region, offering travellers a nostalgic journey through breathtaking hillside locations.