Shimla, July 18 (IANS) The feasibility survey for broad-gauging of the railway line in Himachal Pradesh is to be conducted shortly by a private company, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said Friday. “A private company has been hired by the railways to conduct the survey of the Pathankot - Jogindernagar railway line, a line up to Leh town in Jammu and Kashmir,” Dhumal said after laying the foundation of a bridge at Palampur, 300 km from here, in Kangra district.

The chief minister described the rail line as strategically important for India, as China was expanding its railway line up to the border.

Dhumal said the decision to assign the survey work to a private company was taken following discussions that state finance commissioner Arvind Mehta held with railway officials in New Delhi June 23.