Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: In a landmark development for Punjab’s Majha region, the Government of India has revived the long-pending Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project. Addressing the media today Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister of state for Railways and Food Processing Industries expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for their continued support and commitment towards strengthening railway infrastructure in Punjab.
Elaborating on the Qadian Beas rail link, Sh. Ravneet Singh said that the proposed railway line will connect Qadian in Gurdaspur district with Beas in Amritsar district through a 39.68-kilometre broad-gauge corridor at an estimated cost of approximately ₹1,400 crore. The project will be executed by Northern Railway. The proposed alignment will pass through the important towns and villages of Qadian, Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and Beas, bringing several areas of the Majha belt onto the railway network and significantly improving mobility for local residents.
The project envisages the development of state-of-the-art railway infrastructure, including two crossing stations at Ghuman and Butala, Eleven major bridges and 121 minor bridges, Fifty-four Road Under Bridges (RUBs), Modern signalling and telecommunication systems and Deployment of Kavach, India’s indigenous train collision avoidance system. Going in flashback of the project Sh. Ravneet Singh said that the Qadian–Beas rail link traces its origins to the British era.
The project was first approved during 1928–29 by the then North-Western Railway, and construction work had progressed substantially by the early 1930s. However, changing circumstances and subsequent planning priorities led to its discontinuation. Recognizing its strategic and developmental significance, the project was revived under the Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme and included in the supplementary Railway Budget 2010–11. After years of delays and procedural hurdles, the project has now been revived, with a revised Detailed Estimate of approximately ₹1,400 crore. Beyond regional connectivity, the line holds strategic significance as an alternative rail corridor to the vital Amritsar–Pathankot section during emergencies and contingencies, thereby strengthening the resilience of railway operations in northern India.
Sh. Ravneet Singh further said that the railway line is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities by Improving market access for farmers and agricultural produce, facilitating faster and more efficient transportation, Boosting trade, commerce and small-scale industries, Creating employment opportunities during construction and operation and Encouraging investment and economic activity across the Majha region.
The project will improve access to several prominent religious and spiritual destinations, including Qadian, birthplace of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Beas, Sri Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdwara Achal Sahib, Gurdwara Bhagat Namdev Ji, Ghuman, Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Panjavi, Burj Sahib, Gurdwara Baba Raja Ram Ji, Pandori Dham, Ram Sharnam Temple, Shirdi Sai Temple, Gurdaspur. Enhanced connectivity is expected to significantly increase religious tourism and facilitate travel for pilgrims and visitors from across India and abroad.
The Hon’ble Minister congratulated the people of Qadian, Beas, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and the entire Majha region on this historic achievement and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to securing all necessary approvals and ensuring the timely implementation of the project.
