An expert team from the UNESCO will be visiting Shimla next month to evaluate and inspect the Kalka-Shimla train for its entry to the world heritage list for the year 2008.
The team headed by an Australian professor Robert Lee will visit Shimla for five days from September
11.
According to RK Rao, Member (Mechanical), Railway Board, the team would submit its report to the UNESCO after inspecting the train, tracks and its surroundings during its stay in Shimla. The final decision on the issue will be taken in the UNESCO general assembly to be held in Canada in July next year.
If the 104-year-old Kalka-Shimla Railway is declared as world heritage site then it will be the fourth railway property in India to be included in the UNESCO heritage list.
Darjeeling Himalaya Railway, Neelgiri Mountain Railway and VT Station in Mumbai have already been declared as world heritage properties.
"These are our rare properties and we make sincere effort to maintain and preserve them. Our aim is to include Neral-Matheran Railway and Kangra Valley Railway in the world heritage list after the Kalka-Shimla Railway gets the nod," Rao said.