The meeting was attended by Asha Swaroop, chief secretary, Himachal Pradesh, Ramesh Inder Singh, chief secretary, Punjab and Dharam Vir, chief secretary, Haryana.

Swaroop requested her counterpart in Punjab to initiate the work of land acquisition in 14 villages that fall under the Ropar district so as to pave way for the construction of the Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line. She said the rail line is “vital” for the development of Himachal Pradesh as it would provide the necessary impetus for the region’s development.

On this, the Punjab Chief Secretary directed the deputy commissioner, Ropar, to make joint inspections with the railway authorities to acquire land in the 14 villages that fall in the Ropar district of Punjab.

It was decided in the meeting that a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, would be issued by February 20 to expedite the process of land acquisition for the construction of Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri rail line.