Image: Unsplash Termination of Howra-Kalka train in Chandigarh can badly hit tourism: Association
Shimla/UNI: State Tourism Stakeholders Association expressed anguish over Indian Railway's alleged move to shut Howrah-Kalka Mail and termed it a major blow to the interest of Northern Himalayan state and Shimla tourism circuit.
STSA president Mohinder Seth, in a statement, said that they were informed by a reliable source that Railways is intending to terminate the Howra -Kalka train at Chandigarh instead of Kalka.
"The termination of Howra- Kalka train at Chandigarh would hit the tourism of Shimla Circuit badly in particular and of Himachal in general because Shimla is a gate way for tourists coming to Himachal", he said.
The majority of tourists set on their journey of Himachal from Shimla. Kalka- Howra train is very popular train and contribute large number of tourist inflow from West Bengal.
He said that this is the most convenient train for tourists coming from Bengal because of its direct connectivity up to Shimla by World Heritage Kalka-Shimla train. During Durga Puja holidays maximum tourists from West Bengal travel by this train to Shimla.
He said that Howra- Kalka Mail is running since Shimla-Kalka rail line came in existence in 1903.
In case the train will stop connecting Kalka, the existence of rail service for Shimla would come under a threat because the railway has also decided to terminate Bandra-Kalka train service at Chandigarh from next week.
The people from West Bengal and Maharashtra contributes a large inflow of tourists to Himachal. The occupancy of hotels not approachable by car totally depends on tourists coming by rail and not only this the business of local travel agents and taxi operators also depends on tourists coming by train.
The density of traffic will also increase because the tourist will be having no option except to travel by road. There is already scarcity of parking in Shimla.
This would have a negative impact on tourism of Shimla in particular and of the state in general because maximum tourists visiting Himachal start their journey from Shimla.
We urge the railway authority to review their decision to terminate both the trains from Howra and Bandra at Chandigarh instead of Kalka in the larger interest of tourism and convenience of tourists.
Tourism industry stake holders association has decided to take up the matter with the Chief minister also requesting him to take up the matter with the Ministry of railways to continue termination of both the trains at Kalka to save the tourism, he added.
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