The Union Government has approved the revival of the Qadian-Beas railway link, connecting Qadian in Gurdaspur district with Beas in Amritsar district through a 39.68-kilometre broad-gauge corridor. According to reports from Business Standard, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu announced that the project will be executed by Northern Railway at an estimated cost of approximately ₹1,400 crore. The project represents a significant revival after being originally approved during 1928-29 by the North-Western Railway but remained incomplete for nearly a century. The proposed alignment will pass through important towns and villages including Qadian, Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and Beas, bringing several areas of the Majha belt onto the railway network for the first time and significantly improving mobility for local residents.
The project will develop 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. As reported by Business Standard, the railway line traces its origins to the British era and represents a significant infrastructure development for the region, with the proposed alignment specifically designed to enhance connectivity and mobility for local residents.
According to Minister Bittu's statement, the railway line holds strategic significance as an alternative corridor to the Amritsar-Pathankot section during emergencies, enhancing the resilience of rail operations in northern India. The project was later included under the Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme in the supplementary Railway Budget for 2010-11 but faced delays and procedural hurdles before receiving current approval. Minister Bittu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their support in strengthening railway infrastructure in Punjab.
According to the Minister's statement, 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, and creating employment opportunities during construction and operation. The project will encourage investment and economic activity across the Majha region, with enhanced connectivity expected to significantly increase agricultural trade and improve access to markets for local farmers and agricultural producers.
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, Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Panjavi, Burj Sahib, Gurdwara Baba Raja Ram Ji, Pandori Dham, Ram Sharnam Temple, Shirdi Sai Temple, and Gurdaspur. According to Business Standard, enhanced connectivity is expected to facilitate travel for pilgrims and visitors from across India and abroad, making religious tourism more accessible and convenient for devotees, with the project envisaging significant increase in religious tourism and facilitating travel for pilgrims and visitors from across India and abroad.
