CHANDIGARH: Resumption of Kalka-Delhi Shatabdi Express has revived hopes of the Kalka-Shimla train being filled to its capacity by bringing more passengers.
On day one of the resumption of the Delhi-Kalka Shatabdi in the first week of December, 145 passengers reached the Kalka railway station, out of which 75 boarded the Kalka-Shimla train. The heritage special train running is running with 25% capacity, with 80 to 90 passengers.
Ambala divisional railway manager (DRM) G M Singh said, “The train is gradually picking up, as 25% of the total occupancy is being recorded daily. We are happy these passengers are tourists. The train will keep running on the section till December 31. We believe that this train will get good load once more connecting trains from Delhi to Chandigarh-Kalka will be resumed. Efforts are on at ministry level to reintroduce more trains.” He said there are no plans to resume Himalayan Queen-Ekta Express connecting Kalka to Delhi-Rohtak The Himalayan Queen was resumed from October 20 after a closure for seven months due to Covid-19 pandemic. For the first few days, the train covered the journey without any passenger.
Kalka-Shimla Himalayan Queen leaves Kalka at 12.10 pm and reaches Shimla at 5.20 pm. Shimla-Kalka Himalayan Queen makes the return journey the following day, departing Shimla at 10.40am and arriving at Kalka at 4.10 pm. Of the seven coaches in the train, two are luxury coaches.