India’s 'impossible' railway: Reaching 5,256 metres, this record-breaking project defies the clouds.

India plans world's highest railway station at 5,256 metres, above China's record; check route, cost and key challenges of Rs 1.31 lakh crore project

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World's highest railway station in India

India's proposed railway link to Ladakh could set a new global record, with plans for a railway station at an altitude of around 5,256 metres above sea level. If completed along the proposed alignment, the station beneath the Tanglang La pass would overtake China's Tanggula railway station to become the world's highest railway station. The proposed Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line is a strategically important infrastructure project aimed at connecting Himachal Pradesh with Ladakh through the challenging Himalayan terrain. With an estimated cost of Rs 1.31 lakh crore and nearly 270 km of tunnels, the ambitious corridor would be among India's most challenging railway engineering projects.

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Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line: Route, length and key stations

The proposed 489-km broad-gauge railway corridor will connect Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh with Leh in Ladakh. The alignment is planned to pass through several important towns and locations, including Sundernagar, Mandi, Manali, Sissu, Darcha, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Rumtse, Upshi and Kharu before reaching Leh. Identified as a strategic project by the Ministry of Defence, the railway line is expected to improve connectivity to the strategically important Ladakh region. According to the railway ministry, the survey has been completed and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared. The estimated project cost stands at approximately Rs 1.31 lakh crore.

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Tanglang La station could become world's highest railway station

One of the biggest highlights of the proposed Bilaspur-Leh railway line is a station planned beneath the Tanglang La pass at an elevation of approximately 5,256 metres above sea level. If constructed at the proposed elevation, the station would surpass China's Tanggula railway station, located on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway at around 5,068 metres. This would give India the distinction of having the world's highest railway station. Tanglang La is already a prominent high-altitude mountain pass on the Manali-Leh highway. However, bringing railway infrastructure to this elevation would require complex engineering, particularly because of the region's harsh climate, difficult geology and challenging terrain.

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270 km of tunnels: Major engineering challenge in the Himalayas

The proposed railway corridor is expected to include approximately 270 km of tunnels across its 489-km alignment. This means that more than half of the railway line could pass through underground sections, making tunnelling one of the most significant components of the project. Construction teams would have to deal with difficult geological formations, steep gradients, extreme temperatures and high-altitude conditions. The Himalayan region also presents considerable uncertainties related to rock stability, excavation and construction logistics. These factors could make the project particularly demanding in terms of both cost and execution.

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Why the Bilaspur-Leh railway line is strategically important

Currently, road and air transport are the primary means of reaching Leh from other parts of the country. The Manali-Leh highway is an important route, but its high-altitude stretches and weather conditions can disrupt movement, particularly during the winter months. A railway connection could provide an additional transportation option for passengers and goods while strengthening logistical connectivity to Ladakh. Its strategic importance is particularly significant given the region's location and defence requirements. The railway corridor could help improve the movement of essential supplies and equipment, subject to the infrastructure and operational arrangements eventually developed for the project.

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Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway project faces land acquisition hurdles

The challenges involved in expanding railway connectivity in Himachal Pradesh are also visible in the ongoing Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway project. The 63-km line is expected to improve connectivity in the state and forms part of the broader railway infrastructure development in the region. However, the project has encountered hurdles involving land acquisition and the state's financial contribution. In October 2026, the Himachal Pradesh High Court quashed the preliminary land acquisition notification, observing that the government had not complied with the statutory requirements for extending the deadline to issue the land acquisition declaration.

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Is the Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway project approved?

Despite the completion of the survey and preparation of the DPR, the proposed Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line remains at the planning stage. A completed Detailed Project Report does not automatically mean that the project has received construction approval. The estimated investment of Rs 1.31 lakh crore, the extensive tunnelling requirements and the difficult Himalayan terrain make the project a major infrastructure undertaking. Further decisions on approval, funding and execution will determine how the proposal progresses. If realised, the railway line could transform connectivity to Ladakh while giving India a significant place in global railway engineering. Its proposed station beneath Tanglang La, at 5,256 metres, could also set a new world record for the highest railway station.