BJP MP Anurag Thakur announced on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 that Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved two rail demands he personally raised: a new train on the Ambala–Kartoli via Una route and the extension of the Delhi–Daulatpur Chowk Express to Kartoli station in Punjab, marking a significant step in expanding rail connectivity to Himachal Pradesh.

Context

Thakur, the Lok Sabha MP from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, stated in his post that he had pursued both demands through written correspondence and a personal meeting with the Railway Minister. Translating his words: 'Mujhe yeh batate hue harsha ka anubhav ho raha hai' ('I am delighted to share') that the minister 'gladly accepted' the requests and granted formal approval. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special attention to the state for the broader acceleration in Himachal's rail development over the past 12 years.

The two approvals are distinct in nature: the Ambala–Kartoli via Una service is a new train, while the Delhi–Daulatpur Chowk Delhi Express is an existing service whose terminus will now be extended to Kartoli, improving last-mile access for passengers travelling between the national capital and the Una–Kartoli belt.

Policy Backdrop

Since 2014, the central government has sharply raised annual capital expenditure for Indian Railways, with a stated emphasis on improving connectivity in hill and border states. Himachal Pradesh, whose mountainous terrain makes rail construction expensive and technically demanding, has been a recurring focus of this push. New project sanctions, enhanced funding for stalled works, and time-bound completion of damage-repair work have all featured in this period, as Thakur's post acknowledges.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has held the Railways portfolio since 2021, has overseen a series of incremental service additions and route extensions in northern India. The pattern of BJP MPs formally writing to the ministry and securing approvals for state-specific services has become a visible feature of the current government's outreach model.

Stakeholders and Impact

The most direct beneficiaries are daily commuters and long-distance travellers in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh and the Kartoli area of Punjab, a corridor that currently lacks a direct rail link to Ambala, a major junction on the Delhi–Chandigarh main line. The extension of the Delhi Express to Kartoli will also benefit passengers who previously had to change trains or rely on road transport for the final stretch.

Himachal Pradesh's residents have long advocated for better rail access, given that the state's road network is vulnerable to monsoon disruptions and landslides. Improved rail services reduce travel time, lower freight costs, and support local economies in the hill districts.

What's Next

The ministry's approval is the administrative precondition for operationalising both services, but formal launch dates, train numbers, and timetables are yet to be announced. Observers will watch whether the new Ambala–Kartoli via Una service and the extended Delhi Express are notified before the next Railway Budget cycle. Thakur's post signals that further rail proposals for Himachal remain on his agenda, and any follow-up announcements from the Railway Ministry will be a key indicator of the pace of implementation.