Dhumal demands speedy completion of Nangal-Talwara rail line

The issue was raised by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal at the 26th Northern Zonal Council meeting held here, which was attended by representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.

He rued that despite the foundation stone of the railway line between Nangal and Talwara being laid in 1973, there was no sign of its completion.

"So far, only 44 kms stretch has been completed and just Rs 10 crore has been earmarked in last budget to complete remaining 40 km stretch," he said.

Dhumal also demanded from Home Minister P Chidambaram that another rail link connecting Bhaupali, Bilaspur, Beri, Manali, Mandi and Leh should be set up as it was important from the point of view of national defence.

He raised the issue of about Rs 4,000 crore of arrears to the state government in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) project. The arrears are to be paid by Punjab and Haryana.

"We have submitted a claim of about Rs 4,000 crore and the Centre has to vet and then it will be submitted to the Supreme Court. Now the Union Power ministry will confirm whether this claim is right," he said.

Himachal Pradesh also demanded that the Centre impose a duty on import of apples from other countries as they were otherwise allegedly hampering the trade in HP, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP-led state government also renewed its demand of an industrial package from the Centre to the hill state.