Chandigarh: The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the Ferozepur–Patti rail link project, spanning 25.72 km, with an estimated cost of ₹764.19 crore, including ₹166 crore for land acquisition to be borne by the Railways. In a formal communication, the Ministry has written to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, urging early acquisition of land so that construction can begin without delay.
Announcing the approval at a media briefing in Chandigarh, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu said the project carries immense strategic and economic importance for Punjab. It will reduce the distance between Ferozepur and Amritsar from 196 km to nearly 100 km and shorten the Jammu–Ferozepur–Fazilka–Mumbai corridor by 236 km. The whole project is Centre sponsored without financial contribution of the State.
Bittu said the new rail line will act as a vital link between the Malwa and Majha regions, strengthening regional mobility, logistics, and trade. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for what he called “a historic gift to Punjab.”
The new line will connect the Jalandhar–Ferozepur and Patti–Khemkaran routes, providing a direct and alternate connection near the international border. Passing through areas of strategic significance, it will enable faster movement of defence personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Highlighting the socio-economic impact, Bittu said the project will benefit around 10 lakh people and create approximately 2.5 lakh jobs. It will cater to nearly 2,500–3,500 daily passengers, including students, employees, and patients from nearby villages. The project is expected to boost trade, reduce freight costs, improve market access for farmers, and attract investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Bittu said the new alignment will also revive a historical route lost during Partition, cutting the Ferozepur–Khemkaran distance from 294 km to 110 km. It will enhance connectivity between Amritsar—a key commercial, educational, and religious centre that attracts over one lakh tourists daily—and Ferozepur, strengthening regional integration and tourism.
Present at the briefing were DRM Ambala Vinod Bhatia, CPM (Construction) Ajai Varshney, CPM (RLDA) Balbir Singh, ADRM Firozpur Nitin Garg, and Dhananjay Singh, EDPG, Ministry of Railways.
