Punjab gets major rail boost: New Rajpura–Mohali line, Firozpur Vande Bharat, and 12,000 festival trains
Punjab gets major rail boost: New Rajpura–Mohali line, Firozpur Vande Bharat, and 12,000 festival trains
Delhi/Ferozepur, September 23, 2025: In a landmark announcement for Punjab’s railway infrastructure, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu today unveiled a string of major projects, including the long-awaited Rajpura–Mohali rail line, a new Firozpur–Delhi Vande Bharat Express, and record 12,000 special trains for the Chhath–Diwali season.
Fulfilling a 50-year-old demand, the 18 km line will cost ₹443 crore, directly linking the Malwa region with Chandigarh. It will cut travel distance by 66 km, ease congestion on the Rajpura–Ambala route, and connect all 13 Malwa districts to the state capital while minimizing farmland acquisition. The project promises faster movement of farm produce, reduced industrial freight costs, and better access to key religious and tourist sites such as Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Sanghol Museum.
A Firozpur Cantt.–Delhi Vande Bharat Express is planned via Bathinda and Patiala, covering 486 km in 6 hours 40 minutes, six days a week, offering direct, high-speed connectivity from Punjab’s border belt to the national capital.
Railway investment in Punjab has surged 24 times since 2014, from ₹225 crore annually to ₹5,421 crore. Major achievements include 382 km of new tracks, 100% electrification, and 409 flyovers/underpasses. Current works worth ₹25,000 crore include nine new track projects spanning 714 km and the upgrade of 30 Amrit stations.
To meet festive demand, Indian Railways will operate a record 12,000 special trains between October 15 and November 15, up from 7,724 last year. Over 10,000 trips are already scheduled, with 150 unreserved trains and 50 additional services on standby.
Vaishnaw highlighted that improved infrastructure and planning have pushed punctuality above 90% in 29 railway divisions, with some touching 98%, ensuring a smoother travel experience nationwide.
