The city of Gurdaspur and its adjoining towns are set to receive a major economic boost as the proposed 30-km Gurdaspur–Mukerian rail link moves closer to reality. The project has gathered significant momentum, with the detailed project report (DPR) nearing completion, railway officials confirmed.
Project Progress and Next Steps
Railway officials stated that once the DPR is finalized, the next phase—land acquisition—will begin immediately. The new track will connect Gurdaspur railway station (GSP) on the Amritsar-Pathankot section with Mukerian (MEX) on the Jalandhar-Jammu route, effectively creating a vital rail link between the two corridors.
Economic Impact and Reduced Travel Distance
The proposed rail link is expected to revitalize industrial activity in Batala while significantly improving rail connectivity between Gurdaspur and New Delhi. Currently, passengers from Gurdaspur must travel about 70 km to Amritsar to board trains for the national capital. Once the new line becomes operational, they will be able to travel directly to New Delhi via Mukerian and Jalandhar, reducing the journey by nearly 90 km.
Local Business Community Welcomes Development
Parmjit Singh Gill, a Batala-based businessman, welcomed the development. “Once the proposed line becomes operational, goods moving between Ambala and Amritsar can be routed more efficiently, significantly reducing travel distance and transportation costs. This will greatly benefit traders and industrialists in Batala. For years, the railways showed little interest in strengthening connectivity in the Majha region. Now, we finally see a ray of hope, especially as the Railway Minister is taking a personal interest in the project,” he said.
