Work begins on Mohali-Rajpura rail link

Work on Punjab’s long-awaited Mohali-Rajpura broad-gauge rail link has officially begun, with the state government initiating the land acquisition process for the Rs 443-crore project — fully funded by the Centre — marking a decisive move toward ending a wait of over 50 years.

The development assumes significance as the Centre has just approved another long-pending Ferozepur-Patti rail link worth Rs 764.19 crore, announced by Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu in Chandigarh on Wednesday, signalling the Modi government’s renewed push for Punjab’s rail infrastructure revival.

A senior official told The Tribune on Thursday that the Punjab Government had designated the Department of Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management as the nodal agency for land acquisition. The Northern Railway (NR) has been directed to immediately submit the alignment plan for the proposed line, indicating the stretch passing through the three affected districts — Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala.

Once received, the Financial Commissioner, Revenue (FCR) will identify and recommend the respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to the Railway Ministry for notification as the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) under relevant legal provisions. The state has assured “full cooperation and necessary administrative support” to ensure the project’s timely completion.

The decisions were finalised at a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, attended by Additional Chief Secretary-cum-FCR (Revenue) Anurag Verma, Secretaries of Industries and Commerce, Finance departments, Director, Industries and Commerce, Deputy Commissioners of Mohali, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib, and Chief Project Manager, Northern Railways, in Chandigarh.

At the meeting, the Chief Project Manager (NR) informed that the Government of India had approved the project in principle, and the Railways would bear the entire cost, including land acquisition.

The Chief Secretary emphasised close coordination between departments to fast-track land transfer and commencement of work.

This project is part of what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described as a “Punjab rail renaissance”, aligning with a Rs 25,000-crore investment plan across the state that includes modernisation of stations, freight corridors and Vande Bharat expansions.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in his earlier statement to The Tribune, had said, “The Rajpura-Mohali rail link is not just a project, it is a promise kept. It fulfils a more than 50-year-old demand of the people of Punjab. This is truly a gift from Prime Minister Modi to Punjab’s farmers, industries, students, and pilgrims.”

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Cost: ₹443-crore (fully funded by Centre)

Length: 18-km new line

Land required: 54 hectares (134 acres)

Districts covered Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala

Nodal agency: Punjab Dept. of Revenue, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management

Implementation agency: Northern Railway

Timeline: 2-3 years (subject to land handover & clearances)

IMPACT & SIGNIFICANCE

Connectivity boost: Direct link between the Malwa region and Chandigarh, cutting 66 km detour via Ambala.

Economic gains: Lower freight costs for industries and farmers; better logistics for Rajpura Thermal Plant and Patiala’s manufacturing units.

Decongestion: Reduced road traffic on the busy Chandigarh-Patiala corridor.

Tourism & access: Easier access to Fatehgarh Sahib and nearby heritage sites.

Environmental benefits: Lower vehicular emissions due to modal shift from road to rail.