Northern Railway Safely Evacuates Over 400 Passengers After Hill Slip on Shimla-Kalka Section
Northern Railway swiftly mounted a coordinated rescue and passenger assistance operation following a hill slip on the Shimla-Kalka (SML-KLK) UNESCO World Heritage railway section, ensuring the safe movement of more than 400 passengers.
The hill slip occurred at Bridge No. 57, located at Km 7/16-17 between Koti and Ghumman stations. Following the incident, railway authorities took immediate safety measures and curtailed the movement of four incoming trains to prevent passengers from being exposed to operational risks.
As part of the precautionary arrangements, Train No. 52456 was short-terminated at Solan, Train No. 52452 at Koti, while Train Nos. 52460 and 52454 were short-terminated at Dharampur Himachal. The decision allowed railway officials to manage passenger movement while ensuring that train operations remained safe in the affected section.
The rescue and passenger assistance operation was carried out under the direct coordination of Vipin Poudwal, CMI/KLK, and Darshan Singh Gill, CMI/SML. Local railway teams were mobilised promptly to facilitate the transportation of passengers stranded at different locations.
To ensure seamless transhipment, Northern Railway arranged a dedicated fleet of seven road vehicles, comprising five full-sized buses and two Tempo Travellers. These vehicles were deployed to collect passengers from Solan, Koti and Dharampur Himachal and transport them safely towards Kalka.
Approximately 391 passengers, along with around 40 train crew members and IRCTC staff, were transported back to Kalka. Railway officials and onboard Ticket Checking staff accompanied the passengers during the road journey. Vipin Poudwal and TTE staff personally escorted the convoy, maintaining coordination and ensuring passenger safety throughout the operation.
Northern Railway also made arrangements for the basic needs of passengers during the disruption. On their arrival at Kalka station, officials distributed 250 fresh food packets and water bottles. The assistance was intended to provide immediate relief to passengers after the unexpected disruption caused by the hill slip.
The railway authorities also made arrangements for the onward journey of passengers. While local passengers proceeded towards their respective destinations, approximately 120 passengers were accommodated on Train No. 13052. The train was specially rescheduled to depart at 1:30 am, allowing affected passengers to continue their journey without prolonged inconvenience.
According to Northern Railway, the quick mobilisation of resources, coordinated transhipment arrangements and on-ground assistance helped complete the entire operation smoothly. Despite the disruption caused by the hill slip, the railway reported that no passenger complaint or refund request was registered at Kalka station in connection with the incident.
The Shimla-Kalka railway line is a historic mountain railway and a UNESCO World Heritage property, making operational safety particularly important during adverse weather conditions. Hill slips and other weather-related incidents can pose challenges to train operations in mountainous terrain, requiring rapid assessment and coordinated response from railway teams.
Northern Railway said the incident demonstrated the importance of timely decision-making, road-based evacuation arrangements and close coordination among operating, commercial and train staff during unexpected disruptions.
The railway reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and operational excellence, particularly during weather-related challenges. The swift response following the hill slip ensured that hundreds of passengers were safely moved from the affected locations, provided with food and water, and given arrangements for onward connectivity.
