Landslides Disrupt Kalka-Shimla Heritage Railway, Services Halted Until September 5

Continuous heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has once again brought the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla heritage railway line to a grinding halt. A massive landslide between Koti and Kanoh stations buried large stretches of the track under mud and debris, forcing authorities to suspend all train services until September 5. The disruption has left thousands of daily commuters, as well as tourists, stranded during the peak monsoon season.

The line, commissioned in 1903 and spanning 96 kilometres through the Himalayan foothills, is celebrated for its 102 tunnels, 988 bridges and nearly 919 sharp curves. However, it is also one of the most vulnerable railways in India, repeatedly battered by monsoon-induced landslides. This week’s incident is the latest in a series of natural calamities that highlight the fragile condition of transport infrastructure in the hill state.

Casualties, Damage, And Wider Impact

The human cost of the ongoing landslides has been grim. In Junga, 35-year-old Virender Kumar and his 10-year-old daughter were killed after their home collapsed under sliding debris, while in Kotkhai’s Chol village, a 70-year-old woman, Kalavati, died when soil from a hillside buried her house. Officials from the State Disaster Management Authority confirmed that at least three people have died in Shimla district alone.

The landslides have not only disrupted railway operations but also crippled road connectivity. As of Monday evening, nearly 788 roads, including 15 national highways, remained blocked across Himachal Pradesh. Traffic on the Shimla-Chandigarh highway slowed to a crawl, while several rural villages were completely cut off. Electricity and water supply in many areas was also hit after falling rocks damaged power lines and pipelines.

The disruption of the Kalka-Shimla line is particularly significant because it is a vital economic and cultural lifeline. It ferries over 800,000 passengers annually, including office-goers, students, and tourists flocking to Shimla. With trains suspended for several days, local businesses, hoteliers, and transport operators are bracing for heavy losses.

Monsoon Menace And Heritage at Risk

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Himachal Pradesh has already recorded over 1,100 mm of rainfall this monsoon, nearly 30 per cent above the seasonal average. Districts like Solan and Shimla have been on red alert for multiple days due to the risk of flash floods and landslides. Officials fear that further downpours could extend the suspension of railway services beyond September 5.

This is not the first time the heritage track has been hit. In August 2023, unprecedented floods washed away sections of the railway near Solan, leaving a bridge dangling and services suspended for weeks. The repeated damage has raised questions about the long-term sustainability of the line, even as crores of rupees are spent annually on its repair and maintenance.

For now, railway crews equipped with earth-moving machines are working round the clock to clear debris from the tracks and stabilise vulnerable slopes. However, experts warn that with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change, protecting mountain railways like the Kalka-Shimla line will require long-term structural solutions rather than ad-hoc repairs.

FAQs

1. Why was the Kalka–Shimla heritage railway service suspended?
The railway services were suspended due to landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains that buried sections of the track between Koti and Kanoh in Himachal Pradesh.

2. Until when will the Kalka–Shimla toy train remain suspended?
According to officials, services have been halted until September 5, 2025, depending on debris clearance and weather conditions.

3. How many people were affected by the recent landslides in Shimla?
At least three people lost their lives in Shimla district, and thousands of commuters and tourists were stranded as roads and railway lines were blocked.

4. What makes the Kalka–Shimla railway line special?
Built in 1903, the 96-km Kalka–Shimla line is a UNESCO World Heritage site with 102 tunnels, 988 bridges, and 919 curves, attracting thousands of tourists every year.

5. How often do landslides affect Himachal Pradesh’s transport?
Landslides are frequent during the monsoon season. In 2025 alone, over 788 roads, including several national highways, were blocked due to rain-induced landslides.