NEW DELHI (Metro Rail News): In a crucial move to strengthen connectivity in the Majha region of Punjab, the Union Minister of state for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu addressed the media and announced the revival of the long-pending Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project on 18th June, 2026.
The project involves the construction of a new railway line of 39.68 km broad-gauge connecting Qadian in Gurdaspur district with Beas in Amritsar district. The development of this project will be executed by Northern Railway.
The Qadian-Beas Railway Line will connect some of the major towns and villages of Qadian, Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and Beas in Punjab and will also act as a major link for many areas of the Majha belt and help in improving mobility for local residents and passengers.
Qadian-Beas Railway Line Project will be developed with the latest modern infrastructure designs, including Fifty-four Road Under Bridges (RUBs), eleven major bridges and 121 minor bridges, two crossing stations at Ghuman and Butala, modern signalling and telecommunication systems and deployment of Kavach, India’s indigenous train collision avoidance system.
The history of Qadian-Beas Railway Line Project dates way back to the British era in 1928–29, when the project first got the approval by the then government. The development on this line had gained momentum in 1930’s but due to various circumstances the project was discontinued. This Line was then again revived under the Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme and included in the 2010–11 supplementary Railway Budget but no progress was seen. Now, after years of delays and issues the project has been undertaken by the Government of India and at a revised Detailed Estimate of approximately ₹1,400 crore.
This railway line has strategic importance as an alternative rail line to the significant Amritsar–Pathankot section in case of emergencies and thereby improving railway operations in northern India.
Congratulating the people of the Majha region, the Union Minister of state for Railways Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu also said that the railway line is expected to bring many economic and employment opportunities for the residents of the region once the project is developed and implemented.
The commencement of this rail corridor will improve access to various prominent religious and spiritual destinations in Punjab, boosting religious tourism in India and abroad.
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