A train journey to Ladakh could one day take passengers through some of the highest and most challenging stretches of the Himalayas. India is planning an ambitious railway corridor connecting Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh to Leh, with a proposed station near Tanglang La that could become the world's highest railway station. Estimated to cost INR 1.31 lakh crore, the project promises to improve connectivity to the strategically important region. However, the proposal is still awaiting the necessary approvals, and the record-breaking station is yet to become a reality.
Proposed Tanglang La station Could Surpass China's Railway Record
The proposed station is expected to be built beneath the Tanglang La mountain pass in Ladakh. At an estimated elevation of approximately 5,256 metres (17,244 feet), it would stand around 188 metres higher than China's Tanggula Railway Station, which currently holds the record at approximately 5,068 metres.
The Tanggula station is located on China's Qinghai-Tibet Railway, a major high-altitude railway corridor connecting Xining in Qinghai province with Lhasa in Tibet. If the Indian proposal is executed at the planned elevation, it would take the global record from China.
There is, however, some variation in the elevation figures reported for the proposed Indian station. Recent reports have cited figures ranging from approximately 5,256 metres to 5,359 metres. The Railway Ministry's published project details confirm the route and overall project specifications but do not independently specify the station's final elevation. The exact figure will need to be established through the approved alignment.
The proposed corridor is also expected to include an underground railway station at Keylong in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district. This would be another significant engineering feature, allowing railway infrastructure to pass through the mountainous terrain.
489-km Railway Corridor To Pass Through 270 km Of Tunnels
The Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line is proposed as a 489-km broad-gauge corridor connecting Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh. According to the Ministry of Railways, its alignment will pass through Beri, Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Sissu, Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Rumtse, Upshi and Kharu before terminating at Leh.
One of the most challenging aspects of the project is its extensive tunnelling requirement. Approximately 270 km of the 489-km corridor is expected to pass through tunnels, accounting for more than half its total length. The project will also involve construction across difficult Himalayan geology, steep mountain terrain and areas exposed to extreme weather.
The estimated project cost, as stated in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), is INR 1,31,000 crore. The scale of tunnelling and the difficult geological conditions are expected to make construction particularly demanding.
The railway line has also been identified as a strategic project by the Ministry of Defence. At present, road and air travel are the principal ways to reach Leh from other parts of India. The Manali-Leh highway, an important route for travellers and the movement of supplies, is vulnerable to heavy snowfall and seasonal closures. A railway connection could provide an additional route for passenger travel and freight movement, while improving logistical access to the strategically sensitive region.
Has The Ladakh Railway Project Received Approval?
Despite the completion of its survey and preparation of the DPR, the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway project has not yet received the necessary final approval for construction. There is also no confirmed construction or completion timeline.
In a statement issued on March 13, 2026, the Ministry of Railways confirmed that the survey had been completed and the DPR prepared. It also described the corridor as a strategic railway line identified by the Ministry of Defence. The estimated expenditure was pegged at INR 1.31 lakh crore.
The project will require further government decisions on funding, approvals and execution before construction can proceed. Its scale, difficult terrain and extensive tunnelling requirements are among the major challenges.
For now, the proposed railway station beneath Tanglang La remains a plan rather than an operational infrastructure project. If the railway line receives the necessary clearances and is eventually built along the proposed alignment, Ladakh could become home to the world's highest railway station, giving India a significant place in the history of high-altitude rail travel.
(With inputs from various sources)
FAQs
1. Will Ladakh get the world's highest railway station?
The proposed Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line could include a station beneath Tanglang La at an estimated elevation of around 5,256 metres. If built at this height, it would surpass China's Tanggula Railway Station.
2. Where will the proposed world's highest railway station be located?
The proposed station is planned beneath the Tanglang La mountain pass in Ladakh. Its final location and elevation will depend on the approved railway alignment.
3. What is the length of the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line?
The proposed broad-gauge railway corridor will stretch approximately 489 km, connecting Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh with Leh in Ladakh.
4. How much will the Ladakh railway project cost?
The Detailed Project Report estimates the cost at Rs 1.31 lakh crore. The corridor is expected to include approximately 270 km of tunnels.
5. Has the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway project received final approval?
No. The survey has been completed and the Detailed Project Report prepared, but the project is still awaiting the necessary final approvals for construction. No construction or completion timeline has been confirmed.
