Haunted Place: Tunnel-103-Shimla-Kalka Railway line

The Kalka-Shimla narrow gauge railway travels along a mostly mountainous route and is known for the breathtaking views of the hills and the valleys. A tunnel numbered 103 apparently contains a ghostly phenomenon in the form of a British Sahib or gentleman by the name of colonel Barog.

Not much is known about him other than the fact that he was assigned the task of finishing the construction of tunnel-103. He began the work with real earnest and starting digging the tunnel from either ends of the hill. However, on reaching the center, he found that his calculations were incorrect and the tunnels from either end weren't aligned at the center.

He was imposed a fine of Re.1, which surmounted to quite a big amount of the days gone-by! So ashamed was he of his error that he shot himself. It's the spirit of Col.Barog mounted on a horse that is most frequently seen!The interesting feature about the spirit of this gentleman is that he talks back to humans who encounter him. Built between 1901-1903, tunnel no:103 is the last and one of the longest tunnels on the Kalka-Shimla line.There have been numerous reports about people who have confronted the spirit and have had long discussions with him. Apparently, the spirit vanishes as suddenly as it appears.

There have also been reports of a woman whose apparition is seen and heard screaming down the railway line into the tunnel and then disappearing into the walls. Also seen is a man asking for match-sticks to light his cigarette. Sightings, far and many are a common order of the day and most people avoid venturing into the tunnel on foot even during the day, let alone the night! However, there are hardly any reports that indicate the sighting of the spirits while traveling in the train when it passes through the tunnel. Tourists and adventurers, the next time when you are on your way to Shimla in the kalka-shimla mountain railway, watch out for Tunnel-103!!