In a major boost to Punjab’s rail connectivity, the Indian Railways has approved the construction of a new 18 km line between Rajpura and Mohali, with ₹443 crore allocated for the project.
This new alignment will directly connect the Malwa region to Chandigarh, reducing the current route via Ambala and trimming travel distance by approximately 66 km. It will also ease traffic congestion along the Rajpura–Ambala corridor and shorten the Ambala–Morinda link.
The proposed route has been carefully designed to minimize agricultural land acquisition, thereby limiting disruption to local farming communities.
Authorities expect the line to stimulate economic activity in sectors like textiles, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. It will also enhance connectivity for the Rajpura Thermal Power Plant and support tourism and pilgrimage routes to places such as Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib and the Shrine of Shaikh Ahmad al-Faruqi al-Sirhindi.
The project aligns with a broader expansion of rail infrastructure in Punjab, where rail investment has surged in recent years. From historically modest allocations, the railway budget in the state is projected to reach ₹5,421 crore in 2025–26—a 24-fold increase from past averages.
Currently, multiple railway works worth over ₹25,000 crore are underway across Punjab. These include nine new line expansions covering 714 km, development of 30 Amrit Stations (₹1,122 crore), and 88 road over/under bridges (ROBs/RUBs) valued at ₹1,238 crore.
Railway officials also noted significant improvements in operational performance, with more than 90% punctuality achieved in 29 out of 70 railway divisions; some divisions have exceeded 98% punctuality rates.
