Punjab Newsline | Ludhiana
The nearly century-long wait for the 40-km Qadian–Beas rail line, considered a crucial transport lifeline for Punjab's border region, is finally set to end after the Central Government approved ₹1,400 crore for the long-pending project.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced that project, which had remained frozen for years, was revived in December. He said Narendra Modi and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have now sanctioned ₹1,400 crore for its execution.
According to Bittu, the concept of the rail line was first proposed in 1928, making it a project that has taken nearly 100 years to reach the implementation stage. He credited the present government for clearing the long-pending proposal, stating that previous administrations had failed to complete it.
The minister also emphasized that the Punjab government will not have to bear any financial burden for the project, as the funding will come from the Centre.
Highlighting the sharp rise in costs, Bittu said the railway line was originally expected to be completed at around ₹200 crore, but years of delays have pushed the estimated expenditure to ₹1,400 crore.
The project will require the acquisition of 411.81 acres of land. Land that was earlier estimated to cost ₹33 crore is now valued at around ₹300 crore, mainly due to increased land prices and revised compensation policies.
Bittu further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have assured that funding will never be an obstacle to railway development projects in Punjab.
