Travellers planning for a summer vacation in Shimla or its surroundings will be happy to note that the Northern Railways (division of Indian Railways) has restarted operations on the heritage Kalka-Shimla mountain railway.
According to the railways, four trains, including the Shivalik Deluxe Express and the Kalka-Shimla Express, resumed operations from June 21.
The train services were suspended in April this year with a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to local media reports, though the Vistadome coach did not find any takers, 250 passengers availed the trains from Kalka to Shimla on Monday.
The 96-km long, single track Kalka-Shimla railway built in the mid-19th century is one of the three Mountain Railways of India listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
Travel operators expect the restarting of the trains and the relaxation of COVID-19 related regulations in the state will boost tourism in Himachal Pradesh. Travellers arriving in Himachal Pradesh are not required to submit the RT-PCR test report now. Shops may remain open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation has also restarted operations on many routes.