Railways minister Piyush Goyal said here on Sunday that his ministry had approved a budget for a new rail line between Una-Hamirpur Railway Line (50 Kms).

He said Rs.10,200 crore would be spent on laying 254km rail line in Himachal Pradesh. “Also, four other railway projects would be started in the state soon; their detailed project reports are being prepared,” he said.

The Union minister also attacked the Congress’s state leadership, saying that it was engulfed in corruption and had been divided. “Its state government could not live up to the expectations of people,” he said. “If elected to power, the new government under Prem Kumar Dhumal will speed up development.” Goyal said Himachal Pradesh had immense potential for tourism-related activities and a BJP victory was certain in the state.

Apart from the above, projects like Amb-Andaura to Daulatpur Chowk (16 kms), is also being considered for expediting.

The Defence Ministry has declared four railway lines of National Strategic Importance including Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri-Manali-Leh broad gauge line.

During the year 2013-14, the then Railway Minister had announced that a railway station will be established at Basal in Una district but the announcement never saw the light of the day, he said and requested the minister to provide sufficient funds for the these projects.