11 yrs on, Ferozepur-Patti rail link hanging fire

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, August 7

Despite getting a green signal from the Ministry of Railways in 2013, a rail-link project to connect Amritsar and Ferozepur has been hanging fire.

According to information, a 25.47 km stretch between Ferozepur and Patti will significantly shorten the distance between the northern states and trade hubs, including Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The rail link will also help in movement of troops, besides transfer of goods.

However, due to an inordinate delay in acquisition of the land by the state government, the project is yet to see the light of day.

The previous government had formed an expert group to conduct a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study prior to acquisition of land in more than 11 villages for the project.

Later, the then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi-led government had approved the land acquisition in a cabinet meeting. He had also assured adequate compensation for the farmers.

However, nothing has moved beyond lip service and the matter is stuck up in procedural wrangles.

Sources said farmers of three villages — Dulla Singh Wala, Kutub Din Wala and Kale Ke Hithar — had refused to give their land as they had been demanding higher compensation.

Raminder Singh, a resident of Kutub Din Wala village, said the government was paying lesser amount in comparison to the market rate.

In March 2023, a few officials had visited the village to hold talks but nobody approached us later, he said.

“We want this rail link to be constructed but not at the cost of our future. We want reasonable compensation,” said Raminder.

Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya said it’s unfortunate that the land could not be acquired for a crucial project. “I will meet Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in this regard,” said Ghubaya, adding that he would also write to the state government to expedite the land acquisition process.

The rail link will pass through 11 villages, including Kot Budha, Maneke Jand, Maan, Talwandi Mastada Singh, Safa Singh Wala, Keleke Uthar, Talwandi Sobha Singh and Bangla Rai, all under Patti sub-division of Tarn Taran, besides Mallanwala Khas in Zira sub-division and Dulla Singh Wala, Kutub Din Wala and Kale ke Hithar in Ferozepur district.

Revenue officials said a total of 165.69 hectares were required for the project, 70.01 hectares falling in three villages of Ferozepur and 95.68 hectares in eight villages of Tarn Taran.

The Railways would spend around Rs 299.74 crore on the project after getting encumbrance-free land.

Zira SDM Suraj Kumar said he was not aware about the matter. “I will check the details and take it up with the higher authorities,” he said.