Accepting inscription certificate from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for Kalka-Shimla rail section, Minister of State for Railways R Velu and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Sunday jointly dedicated the track as world heritage site to the nation.

The century-old rail route was accorded the World Heritage status by the UNESCO in July this year.

Velu unveiled the inscription plaque at Kalka Railway Station (KRS) today and a postal cover was also released on the occasion.

The Minister laid the foundation stone of a rail museum to be built in the memory of Baba Bhalku who guided the then British engineer to survey the rail route which became operational in 1903.

The World Heritage status to the KSR and releasing of postal cover in this regard will give fillip to the tourism and the railways, Velu said.

The 96-km-long rail line passes through 102 tunnels, 988 bridges and 917 curves, many of them are as sharp as 48 degrees.

The longest tunnel near Barog is 1143 metre. The four storey stone arch Gallery Bridge No 541 near Kanoh is an engineering marvel and a photographer's delight.

Talking about other rail projects in the state, the Minister said that Rs 700 crore has already been approved for the 33-km-long Chandigarh-Baddi rail line.

He also announced that the Bilaspur-Banupalli-Beri rail project would soon be taken up which would be beneficial for not only the tourists but to reduce the road traffic on this route.

Velu said that for strategic point of view the Pathankot-Jogindernagar-Mandi-Kullu-Manali-Leh rail line could be taken up as a national project for which survey has already been started.

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