Centre approves Rs 764-crore Ferozepur–Patti rail line to connect Majha with Malwa and Gujarat ports
The project will pass through eight villages in Ferozepur district and four in Tarn Taran district
PTC Web Desk: Days after approving the Rajpura–Mohali railway link, the Union Ministry of Railways has now sanctioned another key infrastructure project for Punjab: a 25.72-km-long Ferozepur–Patti railway line, with an estimated cost of Rs 764 crore, including Rs 165 crore earmarked for land acquisition.
Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu made the announcement on Wednesday, terming it a major step toward boosting connectivity and trade in Punjab. The new line will link Majha and Malwa regions, providing an economic and logistical bridge between border districts and major trade hubs in western India.
According to railway officials, the project will pass through eight villages in Ferozepur district and four in Tarn Taran district. The Punjab Chief Secretary has already been informed about the sanction and has been directed to expedite the land acquisition process. Bittu assured that all affected landowners will be compensated fairly for their land.
Strategically, the new railway section will reduce the distance between Ferozepur and Amritsar by nearly 98 km, offering a faster and more efficient route between the two important cities. Moreover, it will connect the border district directly with Gujarat’s Kandla Port, enhancing the movement of goods and boosting trade opportunities for local industries and farmers.
The minister added that the Railways Ministry had already written to the Punjab Chief Secretary on October 28, urging the state to complete its share of the work on both the Ferozepur–Patti and Rajpura–Mohali projects. “We are taking up each railway project one by one. If the entire amount is handed over to the state government at once, we cannot be sure how it will be utilised,” Bittu remarked.
He also announced plans to soon start work on the Talwandi Sabo rail line, aimed at linking another of Punjab’s sacred Takhts to the network. Additionally, the Railways plans to extend lines up to Beas and Qadian next year, and to double the Morinda–Ludhiana track to increase capacity.
Highlighting the government’s focus on improving religious connectivity, Bittu said special trains would be run on Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib’s day, similar to the services operated earlier during Chhath Puja.
Bittu alleged that that despite repeated communications, the Punjab Government has not yet responded to letters regarding these projects. “We are committed to Punjab’s progress, and every project announced will be monitored closely to ensure timely execution,” he added.