Railways have always been more than a mode of transport for India. Wherever rail connectivity reaches, development follows. Industries grow, trade expands, tourism flourishes and the quality of life of ordinary citizens improves. Punjab is now witnessing exactly such a transformation — a railway renaissance that is reshaping the economic and social landscape of the state.
For decades, Punjab suffered because several crucial railway projects remained trapped in files, delayed by bureaucratic hurdles, lack of coordination and absence of sustained political will. Many projects that were sanctioned years ago eventually entered a “freeze” stage and remained in cold storage for decades. Important regions such as Malwa, border districts, industrial belts and religious centres remained deprived of modern rail infrastructure despite repeated demands by the people.
One of the biggest ironies was that Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab, was not directly connected to the entire Malwa region through a modern rail corridor. The Rajpura-Mohali rail link, first envisioned in the 1970s, remained pending for decades despite continuous follow-ups by several leaders and public representatives over different periods. The Qadian-Beas line, another long-pending demand, also remained frozen because of land acquisition issues and administrative delays.
The situation began to change under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Guided by the PM’s vision of infrastructure-led growth and regional balance, Punjab’s railway development received unprecedented attention. I was fortunate to receive constant support and encouragement from Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, whose proactive approach ensured that Punjab’s pending railway aspirations were converted into executable projects.
When I assumed responsibility as Minister of State for Railways, I reviewed every major pending project related to Punjab — from the divisional level to Railway Board headquarters. I found that many projects had effectively stalled because of issues related to state cost-sharing commitments, land acquisition disputes and prolonged procedural delays. Understanding Punjab’s financial situation, I strongly advocated that the Railways should move ahead by bearing the project costs to ensure that development did not suffer. After extensive discussions, continuous follow-ups and coordination between divisions, zonal railways and the Railway Board, several projects that were once frozen were finally revived and fast-tracked.
Punjab is witnessing railway development at a scale never seen before. The railway budget allocation for the state has increased to Rs 5,673 crore in 2026-27, nearly 25 times higher than the annual average allocation during 2009-14. Projects worth over Rs 26,000 crore are currently under execution across the state.
Major projects that were revived and accelerated include the Rs 13,770-crore Bhanupalli-Beri New Line project, the Rs 842-crore Qadian-Beas New Line, the Rs 443-crore Rajpura-Mohali rail line, the Rs 300-crore Ferozepur-Patti New Line and the Rs 449-crore Raman-Maur line. Important doubling projects such as Ludhiana-Kila Raipur and Ludhiana-Mullanpur are also progressing rapidly. The Nangal Dam-Talwara project, involving an investment of Rs 2,312 crore, is another landmark initiative that will strengthen connectivity in the region.
One of the most historic achievements has been the sanctioning and advancement of railway connectivity to Talwandi Sabo, home to Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. For decades, there was a long-standing aspiration to connect all five Takhts of Sikhism through rail connectivity. Leaders across party lines raised this issue over the years, but progress remained limited. Today, this dream is finally moving towards reality. This is not merely an infrastructure project; it is an emotional, cultural and spiritual milestone for millions of devotees worldwide.
Punjab is also witnessing rapid modernisation of passenger facilities. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 30 railway stations are being redeveloped with world-class amenities. Among them are the holy city of Amritsar in Majha and Bathinda in Malwa. Major stations such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, Anandpur Sahib and Sri Muktsar Sahib are undergoing extensive modernisation. The redevelopment of Chandigarh Railway Station at a cost of Rs 462 crore is one of the flagship projects being executed by the Rail Land Development Authority. The station is being transformed into a modern transport hub with dual station buildings, a massive air concourse, foot overbridges, modern passenger lounges, retail areas, lifts, escalators and enhanced parking facilities. The project has already achieved substantial progress and will redefine the travel experience for the Chandigarh Tricity region.
At the same time, Punjab’s rail connectivity has entered a new era with the introduction of premium train services. Today, six pairs of Vande Bharat Express trains and one pair of Amrit Bharat Express are operational in the state. The Ferozepur-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express was especially important for the Malwa region. I pursued the project to ensure that border districts and the Malwa belt received direct high-speed connectivity to the national capital. The train, inaugurated by the Prime Minister with great enthusiasm, has become a symbol of modern rail connectivity and a precious gift for Punjab.
The transformation is visible not only in passenger services but also in core infrastructure. Punjab has achieved 100% railway electrification. Hundreds of kilometres of new tracks have been laid, while over 400 ROBs (railway overbridges), RUBs (railway underbridges) and underpasses are being constructed or sanctioned to reduce congestion and improve safety.
I intervened in several pending projects, including the Doraha and Dhuri ROBs, where procedural bottlenecks had delayed public convenience for years. Similarly, in Pathankot, we took immediate steps to reduce severe traffic congestion caused by multiple level crossings by reorganising rake movement and operational patterns.
I have always believed that development should rise above political lines. Every proposal related to ROBs, RUBs or passenger facilities brought forward by leaders from any political party was taken seriously and pursued with equal commitment because the priority must always remain public welfare.
Punjab’s railway transformation is not merely about tracks and stations. It is about creating opportunities. Improved rail infrastructure will reduce logistics costs for industries, strengthen border-area connectivity, encourage tourism and pilgrimage, support agricultural trade and generate employment. Industrial centres such as Bathinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, Batala, Jalandhar and border districts will benefit immensely from enhanced freight and passenger movement. Better connectivity will also strengthen Punjab’s role in national economic growth.
The journey from frozen files to fast-tracked execution demonstrates what determined leadership, coordinated governance and continuous follow-up can achieve.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his constant guidance and support, and all railway officials and engineers who worked tirelessly to turn these long-pending dreams into reality.
Punjab’s railway renaissance has begun. The tracks being laid today are not merely lines on the ground — they are pathways towards economic growth, social progress, regional connectivity and a stronger future for every citizen of Punjab.
The author is the Minister of State for Railways
