50 years on, Centre shows green signal to Rajpura-Mohali rail link

In a major boost for Punjab's economy, the BJP-led NDA government on Tuesday announced two major railway projects for the border state--the long sought Rajpura-Mohali rail link and a new Vande Bharat train between Ferozepur and Delhi.

The Rajpura-Mohali link, the demand for which was first raised in Parliament in 1976, will reduce travel distance by approximately 66 km and considerably cut the commuting duration between Patiala and Chandigarh. Currently, trains from Ludhiana have to pass through Ambala to reach Chandigarh.

All 13 districts of the Malwa region will also be connected to Chandigarh, easing traffic on the existing Rajpura-Ambala rail route and shortening the Ambala-Morinda link. Among available options, this route also requires the least agricultural land acquisition, ensuring minimal impact on farming activities. The 18-km link will cost Rs 443 crore, with the Centre estimating a two-year completion timeline.

Vande Bharat train will, meanwhile, ensure daily service (barring Wednesday) connecting the border district of Ferozepur to the national capital. The train will cover 486 km through Ferozepur Cantt, Bathinda, Patiala and Delhi route in six hours and 40 minutes.

The twin announcements were made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, with the Centre intimating Punjab about key sanctions.

Speaking to The Tribune, Bittu said the Rajpura-Mohali link would be entirely funded by the BJP-led NDA government. “The Punjab Government only needs to acquire 54 hectares for the project. We appeal to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to expedite the acquisition. The project will cover 4 km in Fatehgarh Sahib, 8 km in Patiala and 5 km in Mohali," Bittu said, urging MPs from Punjab cutting across party lines to come together and aid the acquisition process.

Rajpura-Mohali link benefits

• Patiala commuters currently take Rajpura-Ambala rail route to reach Chandigarh; or travel via Rajpura, Sirhind, Morinda and Mohali
• New link to ease traffic on Rajpura-Ambala route
• Will directly connect Mohali rail link to Sirhind-Rajpura rail link at Sarai Banjara and save people's detours
• Among available options, the new link requires the least agricultural land acquisition
• Will enable faster movement of agricultural produce; reduce transportation costs for industries
• Connects Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, shrine of Shaikh Ahmad al-Faruqi al-Sirhindi, Haveli of Todar Mal and Sanghol Museum

He said majority land to be acquired for the link did not fall in agricultural zones. “The Centre will offer adequate compensation. We urge farmer unions to help us realise the crucial project in time. It is a 50-year-old demand," Bittu said, adding that while two years was the estimated project timeline, the Centre hoped to "definitely complete it within three years”.

The demand for the Rajpura-Mohali rail link was first made by Congress MPs Narain Chand Prashar and Raghunandan Lal in the Lok Sabha in March 1976.

The new Vande Bharat train will connect Ferozepur, Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri (CM Mann's home segment), Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, Panipat and Delhi. Asked when the Vande Bharat train will be operational, Bittu said, "Within days."

“PM Narendra Modi normally tries to flag off projects of great importance himself. The train will be flagged off within days," Bittu told this correspondent, indicating a possible flag-off (physical or virtual) by the PM himself.

Vaishnaw said the BJP government had raised the rail budget for Punjab around 25 times from Rs 225 crore between 2009 and 2014 to Rs 5,421 crore in 2025-26.