Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday thanked Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu for increasing the outlay for rail projects in Himachal Pradesh by more than 51 percent over the last year.
He said the state's allocation had been increased from Rs.255 crore in 2015-16 to Rs.310 crore in 2016-17.
"It will give a big boost to the rail network in the interiors of the hill state and will benefit not only the common man but also give a big push to the tourism industry by providing greater connectivity," Nadda said in a statement here.
Two new projects -- gauge conversion of Pathankot-Joginder Nagar line and a new line from Joginder Nagar to Mandi -- have been approved, said Nadda, who belongs to the hill state.