**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2845 regarding railway electrification and broad gauge lines in Punjab, scheduled to be answered on December 17, 2025. It outlines the current status of railway projects in Punjab, including budget allocations, completed and ongoing projects, and challenges faced, particularly related to land acquisition. It also touches on improvements made in the rate of commissioning projects since 2014.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Policy:**
* Railway projects are surveyed, sanctioned, and executed Zonal Railway wise, irrespective of State boundaries.
* **Gauge Conversion:**
* One narrow gauge rail line exists in Punjab: Pathankot to Joginder Nagar (200 km).
* A survey for gauge conversion has been sanctioned, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is in preparation.
* **Project Sanctioning:**
* Sanctioning depends on various factors: traffic projections, connectivity, augmentation of lines, demands from stakeholders, operational requirements, socio-economic considerations, and fund availability.
* **Electrification:**
* Railway network electrification is in mission mode.
* 99.2% of Broad Gauge (BG) network has been electrified.
* Electrification between 2014-25 covered 46,900 route kilometers, while prior to 2014 (60 years) it covered 21,801 route kilometers.
* Entire existing BG network in Punjab has been electrified.
* **Punjab Infrastructure Projects:**
* Budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works in Punjab for 2025-26 is ₹5,421 Cr, which is more than 24 times the ₹225 crore/year allocated in 2009-14.
* As of April 1, 2025, there are 9 projects (4 new lines, 5 doubling) totaling 714 Km in various stages, costing ₹21,926 crore, with 115 Km commissioned and ₹8,079 crore spent until March 2025.
* Lists some of the recently completed and ongoing projects with their costs, falling fully/partly in the State of Punjab.
* **Project Delays:**
* Lists major projects delayed due to land acquisition. The Firozpur-Patti new line is facing delays in land disbursement by the State Government, causing the Ministry of Railways to take up the project with its own funding.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* The Government has taken steps for speedy project approval and implementation, including setting up Gati Shakti units, prioritizing projects, increasing fund allocation, and delegating powers at the field level.
* **Factors Affecting Completion:**
* Project completion depends on land acquisition by the State Government, forest clearance, shifting utilities, statutory clearances, geological conditions, law and order, and the number of working months.
* **Railway Services:**
* Railway stations near the international border in Punjab are well connected: Fazilka (28 services), Firozpur Cantt. (76 services, including 2 Vande Bharat), and Amritsar (132 services, including 4 Vande Bharat).
* Introduction of new train services is an ongoing process based on capacity, path availability, rolling stock, infrastructure, and maintenance.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Punjab**
* **Impact**: Requires cooperation for land acquisition, and forestry and Wildlife clearances for timely project completion. Success depends on the support of the Punjab government.
* **Action Required**: Expedite land acquisition and disbursement for projects like the Firozpur-Patti new line.
**Ministry of Railways**
* **Impact**: Responsible for surveying, sanctioning, and executing railway projects across various Zonal Railways.
* **Action Required**: Continue implementing initiatives for speedy project approval and monitoring.
**General Public (Punjab)**
* **Impact**: Beneficiaries of improved railway infrastructure, increased connectivity, and better transportation services.
* **Action Required**: No specific action, but can provide feedback or raise demands through their representatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: Primary governmental body responsible for railway projects mentioned in the document.
Punjab: Indian state where railway electrification and broad gauge conversion projects are taking place.
NITI Aayog: Government think tank whose appraisal is required for sanctioning railway projects.
Broad Gauge (BG): Refers to the standard gauge for railway tracks, conversion to which is a focus of the query.
Detailed Project Report (DPR): A document that requires preparation before the sanctioning of railway projects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2845
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
ELECTRIFICATION/BROAD GAUGE LINES IN PUNJAB
†2845. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of such railway lines in Punjab which
have not been converted into broad gauge lines/electrified till
date;
(b) the details of steps being taken by the Government to connect
these lines into broad gauge lines; and
(c) the details of the steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the
Government to strengthen railway services in Punjab especially in
border areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): Railway projects are surveyed/ sanctioned/executed Zonal
Railway wise and not State-wise as the Railways’ projects may span
across State boundaries.
There is only one narrow gauge rail line falling fully/partly in the state of
Punjab i.e. Pathankot to Joginder Nagar (200 km). The survey for gauge
conversion of this line has been sanctioned and survey work has been
taken up for preparation of Detailed Project Report.
--2/--2-
After preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), sanctioning of
project requires consultation with various stake-holders including State
Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog,
Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and
dynamic process, exact timelines depend upon appraisals and
approvals by various stakeholders.
Sanction of any railway project depend upon many parameters/factors
which include the following:
Anticipated traffic projections and Remunerativeness of the
proposed route
First and last mile connectivity provided by the project
Connection of missing links and providing additional route
Augmentation of congested/saturated lines
Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public
representatives,
Railway’s own operational requirements
Socio-economic considerations
Overall availability of funds
Electrification of railway network on Indian Railways has been taken up
in mission mode. So far, about 99.2% of Broad Gauge (BG) network has
been electrified. The electrification in remaining network has been
taken up. Electrification carried out during 2014-25 and before 2014 is
as under:
Period Route Kilometer
Before 2014 (about 60
years) 21,801
2014-25 46,900
--3/--3-
In Punjab, entire existing BG network has been electrified. Further, all
new line / multitracking projects are being sanctioned and constructed
with electrification.
Punjab
Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects and safety works, falling
fully/partly in the State of Punjab is as under:
Period Outlay
2009-14 ₹225 crore/year
2025-26 ₹ 5,421 Cr. (More than 24 times)
As on 01.04.2025, 09 projects (04 new line and 05 doubling) of total
length 714 Km, costing Rs.21,926 crore, falling fully/partly in the State
of Punjab are in different stages of planning/sanctioning/execution, out
of which 115 Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of
Rs.8,079 crore has been incurred upto March’ 2025. The summary is as
under:-
Category No. of Total Length Expenditure upto
projects Length Commissio March 2025
ned (Rs.in Crore)
New line 04 252 Km 64 Km 7359
Doubling
05 462 Km 51 Km 720
/multitracking
Total 09 714 Km 115 Km 8,079
Details of some of the recently completed projects falling fully/partly in
the State of Punjab are as under:
S. Cost
Project
No. (Rs. in Cr.)
1 Chakki Bank-Bharoli Doubling (3 Km) 15
--4/--5-
2 Jakhal- Mansa Doubling (45 Km) 163
Mirthal-Bhangala Beas River Doubling (2.5 74
3
Km)
4 Ambala-Dhapper-chandigarh Doubling (45 Km) 339
5 Mansa – Bhatinda Doubling (49 Km) 216
6 Amritsar - Chheharta Doubling (7 Km) 31
Jallandhar-Pathankot-Jammu Tawi Doubling 850
7
(209 km)
Kathua-Madhopur Punjab - doubling including 257
8
Bridge on Ravi (2.5 Km)
9 Rajpura-Bhatinda Doubling (173 Km) 2459
Some of the projects falling fully/partly in the State of Punjab which
have been taken up are as under:
SN. Project Cost
(Rs. in
Cr.)
1 Nangal Dam-Talwara - Mukerian New line (143 Km) 2018
2 Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri New Line(63 Km) 6753
3 Qadian-Beas New Line(40 km) 842
4 Ferozpur-Patti New Line (26 Km) 300
5 Rama Mandi( Raman)-Maur Mandi(Maur) via 154
Talwandi Sabo ( 29 km) New Line
6 Ludhiana-Kila Raipur doubling (19 Km) 238
7 Ludhiana-Mullanpur doubling (21 Km) 235
8 Rajpura-Mohali New Line (18 km) 443
Government of India is geared up to execute projects, however success
depends upon the support of Government of Punjab. For instance,
--5/--5-
details of some major projects which are delayed due to land
acquisition are as under: -
SN Name of the project Total land Land Balance Land
required acquired to be acquired
(in Ha) (in Ha) (in Ha)
1 Firozpur-Patti new line 166 0 166
2 Alal-Himmatana Chord 20 0 20
line
3 Qadian-Beas New Line 151 0 151
4 Rama Mandi( Raman)- 85 0 85
Talwandi Sabo New Line
Firozpur-Patti New line (26 km) situated fully in Punjab is an important
project near the international border. Land for project was to be handed
over free of cost for this project by State Govt. of Punjab. Total 166 Ha
land is to be acquired in the districts of Firozpur and Tarn Taran. Award
for entire land has been published in Mar’23. However, disbursement of
award has not been done by state govt. considering delay in execution
of this important border area project, Ministry of Railways has decided
to take up Firozpur-Patti New line (26 km) through its own funding.
In last three years i.e. 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and current financial
year 2025-26, 22 surveys (09 New Line, 12 Doubling and 01 Gauge
Conversion) covering a total length of 2,101 Km have been taken up
falling partly/fully in the State of Punjab.
Various steps taken by the Government for speedy approval and
implementation of Railway projects include (i) setting up of Gati Shakti
units (ii) prioritisation of projects (iii) substantial increase in allocation
of funds on priority projects (iv) delegation of powers at field level (v)
--6/--6-
close monitoring of progress of project at various levels, and (vi)
regular follow up with State Governments and concerned authorities for
expeditious land acquisition, forestry and Wildlife clearances and for
resolving other issues pertaining to projects. This has led to substantial
increase in rate of commissioning since 2014.
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which
include the following:
Land acquisition by State Government
Forest clearance
Shifting of infringing utilities
Statutory clearances from various authorities
Geological and topographical conditions of area
Law and order situation in the area of project site
Number of working months in a year for particular project site
etc.
All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s
The railway stations located in Punjab near International Border are
well connected. At present, Fazilka is served by 28 train services.
Similarly, Firozpur Cantt. is served by 76 train services including 02
Vande Bharat Express services while Amritsar is served by 132 train
services including 04 Vande Bharat Express services.
Besides, introduction of new train services is an on-going process on
Indian Railways which depends on various factors including -
• Capacity of that section
• Availability of path
• Availability of required rolling stock
• Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
• Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
*****