**Executive Summary**
The Government of India has announced the revival of the 39.68-km Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project in Punjab's Majha region after nearly 100 years. Estimated to cost approximately ₹1,400 crore, this broad-gauge corridor will connect Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts to enhance regional mobility, tourism, and economic development. The project is to be executed by Northern Railway with a focus on timely implementation and modern infrastructure deployment.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Specifications and Route**
* **Length and Gauge:** The project involves the construction of a 39.68-kilometre broad-gauge corridor.
* **Alignment:** The line connects Qadian in Gurdaspur district to Beas in Amritsar district.
* **Key Locations:** The route passes through the towns and villages of Qadian, Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala, and Beas.
* **Execution:** Northern Railway is the designated agency for the execution of the project.
**Infrastructure and Safety Features**
* **Station Facilities:** The plan includes two crossing stations at Ghuman and Butala.
* **Bridges and Crossings:** Development includes 11 major bridges, 121 minor bridges, and 54 Road Under Bridges (RUBs).
* **Technology:** The corridor will feature modern signalling, telecommunication systems, and the "Kavach" indigenous train collision avoidance system.
**Historical Context and Strategic Value**
* **Project Origins:** The project was first approved in 1928–29 but was discontinued in the 1930s.
* **Revival Milestones:** It was included in the 2010–11 supplementary Railway Budget and has now been revived with a revised cost estimate of ₹1,400 crore.
* **Strategic Resilience:** The line serves as a vital alternative corridor to the Amritsar–Pathankot section during emergencies and contingencies.
**Economic and Tourism Objectives**
* **Economic Growth:** The project aims to improve market access for farmers, boost trade for small-scale industries, and create employment during construction and operation.
* **Religious Tourism:** The line provides enhanced access to spiritual destinations, including sites for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, and various historic Gurdwaras and temples.
**Impact Analysis**
**Northern Railway / Ministry of Railways**
**Impact:** Responsible for the technical execution, funding, and management of a high-value (₹1,400 crore) infrastructure project.
**Action Required:** Secure all remaining approvals and ensure the timely implementation of construction and safety system deployments.
**Local Residents and Commuters (Majha Region)**
**Impact:** Significant improvement in mobility and integration of previously disconnected areas into the national railway network.
**Action Required:** Transition to utilizing the new rail corridor for regional travel once operational.
**Farmers and Small-Scale Industries**
**Impact:** Enhanced market access for agricultural produce and more efficient transportation for trade and commerce.
**Action Required:** Leverage the improved logistics and infrastructure to expand trade and investment in the region.
**Pilgrims and Tourists**
**Impact:** Simplified travel to numerous prominent religious and spiritual destinations across Gurdaspur and Amritsar.
**Action Required:** Utilize the enhanced connectivity for religious travel and tourism.
Key Entities Referenced
Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project: A revived 39.68-km broad-gauge corridor connecting Qadian and Beas to enhance connectivity, tourism, and economic development in Punjab's Majha region.
Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme: The policy framework under which the long-pending railway project was recognized for its strategic significance and revived for implementation.
Ministry of Railways: The primary central ministry responsible for the revival, funding, and oversight of the railway infrastructure project.
Northern Railway: The specific administrative zone of Indian Railways tasked with the execution and implementation of the proposed rail link.
Punjab: The state where the project is centrally located, specifically benefiting the districts of Gurdaspur and Amritsar.
Ministry of Railways
Historic Qadian-Beas Railway Line Project
Revived After Nearly 100 Years: Sh. Ravneet
Singh Bittu
39.68-km Broad-Gauge Corridor to Be Developed at an
Estimated Cost of Approximately ₹1,400 Crore
A Major Boost to Connectivity, Tourism and Development in
Punjab
प्रव तथ: 18 JUN 2026 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
In a landmark development for Punjab's Majha region, the Government of India has revived the long-
pending Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project. Addressing the media today Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu,
Union Minister of state for Railways and Food Processing Industries expressed gratitude to the Hon'ble
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon'ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw for their
continued support and commitment towards strengthening railway infrastructure in Punjab.
Elaborating on the Qadian Beas rail link, Sh. Ravneet Singh said that the proposed railway line will
connect Qadian in Gurdaspur district with Beas in Amritsar district through a 39.68-kilometre broad-
gauge corridor at an estimated cost of approximately ₹1,400 crore. The project will be executed by
Northern Railway. The proposed alignment will pass through the important towns and villages of Qadian,
Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and Beas, bringing several areas of the Majha belt onto the railway
network and significantly improving mobility for local residents.The project envisages the development of state-of-the-art railway infrastructure, including two crossing
stations at Ghuman and Butala, Eleven major bridges and 121 minor bridges, Fifty-four Road Under
Bridges (RUBs), Modern signalling and telecommunication systems and Deployment of Kavach, India's
indigenous train collision avoidance system. Going in flashback of the project Sh. Ravneet Singh said
that the Qadian–Beas rail link traces its origins to the British era.
The project was first approved during 1928–29 by the then North-Western Railway, and construction
work had progressed substantially by the early 1930s. However, changing circumstances and subsequent
planning priorities led to its discontinuation. Recognizing its strategic and developmental significance,
the project was revived under the Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme and included in the
supplementary Railway Budget 2010–11. After years of delays and procedural hurdles, the project has
now been revived, with a revised Detailed Estimate of approximately ₹1,400 crore. Beyond regional
connectivity, the line holds strategic significance as an alternative rail corridor to the vital Amritsar–
Pathankot section during emergencies and contingencies, thereby strengthening the resilience of railway
operations in northern India.
Sh. Ravneet Singh further said that the railway line is expected to unlock significant economic
opportunities by Improving market access for farmers and agricultural produce, facilitating faster and
more efficient transportation, Boosting trade, commerce and small-scale industries, Creating employment
opportunities during construction and operation and Encouraging investment and economic activity
across the Majha region.
The project will improve access to several prominent religious and spiritual destinations, including
Qadian, birthplace of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Beas, Sri Darbar
Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdwara Achal Sahib, Gurdwara Bhagat Namdev Ji, Ghuman, Gurdwara
Sahib Patshahi Panjavi, Burj Sahib, Gurdwara Baba Raja Ram Ji, Pandori Dham, Ram Sharnam Temple,
Shirdi Sai Temple, Gurdaspur. Enhanced connectivity is expected to significantly increase religious
tourism and facilitate travel for pilgrims and visitors from across India and abroad.The Hon'ble Minister congratulated the people of Qadian, Beas, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and the entire
Majha region on this historic achievement and reaffirmed the Government's commitment to securing all
necessary approvals and ensuring the timely implementation of the project.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2274733) आगंतुक पटल : 2159
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही