Residents: Expedite work on Qadian-Beas rail track

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Qadian, December 22

Voices to commence work on the 40-km-long Qadian-Beas rail rink have become shriller with local MLA Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa writing to the Ministry of Railways and Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh seeking their nod to kick-start the all-important land acquisition process.

In 2010, the then Rail Minister Mamata Banerjee had sanctioned the link under the ‘Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Proposals (SDRCP)’ head. However, a cross section of villagers, led by a former SAD minister, obstructed the process of acquiring land following which the project fell flat.

The venture will not only meet the increased traffic requirements but will also facilitate the smooth movement of the armed forces in the border district.

At present, Qadian and Beas railway stations are connected by a circuitous route via Amritsar and Batala. Work had started in 1929 by the Britishers but had to be stopped following an assortment of reasons. The project, if materialised, will see the light of day nearly nine decades after it was first conceptualised.

Bajwa, who is at the forefront of leading a drive to ensure the track is laid down, claimed the ministry had already allocated Rs 200 crore to the Punjab Government.

“This money is to be paid to farmers whose land will be taken. When the venture was first cleared by the ministry in 2010, it was envisaged that it would be completed by 2024. A survey, called the final location survey, was started by the Railways to identify the tracts of land to be acquired. However, the survey, which was completed on a 4.5-km stretch of land, hit a roadblock when an Akali leader needlessly instigated villagers of Ghumman, Dhapai, Butala and Sathiali to revolt. In 2013, the Railways restarted the survey but again, the villagers objected. Now, all these objections have been cleared and the Railways has decided to compensate the farmers by giving the Punjab Government requisite funds,” the MLA said.

The project holds significance because Qadian is the international headquarters of the Ahmadiya Muslims while Beas is the seat of the Radha Soami sect,” the MLA said. The Amhadiyas and local villagers, too, say that the link is now the need of the hour keeping in view the increased traffic and the religious significance of the towns of Qadian and Beas.

“The area’s economy can get a boost as the movement of goods and services will no longer be restricted,” the legislator said.