Kullu: Train services on the Kalka-Shimla heritage railway line were suspended on Sunday after heavy overnight rainfall damaged a bridge between Gumman and Taksal stations in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district. The Railways cancelled all the trains scheduled to operate on the Kalka-Shimla route on Sunday, with five trains each in the Kalka-Shimla and Shimla-Kalka directions.According to a railway official, the soil around the track was washed away, affecting its safety. The cancelled trains from Kalka to Shimla are 52451 (Shivalik Deluxe Express), 52459 (Kalka-Shimla Express), 52455 (Himalayan Queen), 52453 (Kalka-Shimla Express) and 52457 (Kalka-Shimla Express). In the Shimla-Kalka direction, trains 52452 (Shivalik Deluxe Express), 52460 (Shimla-Kalka Express) and 52456 (Himalayan Queen) have also been cancelled, while 52454 (Shimla-Kalka Express) and 52458 (Shimla-Kalka Express) are among the other cancelled services.The disruption is the latest setback for the UNESCO World Heritage railway, which has repeatedly been hit by heavy rain in recent weeks. Sections around Koti, Gumman and Tara Devi have witnessed soil erosion, landslides and debris falling on the track, disrupting train services.The heritage line also witnessed an emergency operation earlier in Aug when a landslide blocked the track and the Army was called in to help evacuate stranded passengers.
