The year 2025 has marked a pivotal chapter in the history of Punjab's railway infrastructure, characterized by unprecedented investment and ambitious projects aimed at transforming connectivity. With a staggering Rs 5,421 crore allocated for the 2025–26 fiscal year and cumulative projects worth approximately Rs 25,000 crore currently underway, the state is witnessing one of its biggest railway pushes in decades. This surge represents a dramatic increase from the average annual investment of just Rs 225 crore between 2009 and 2014.
New Trains and Enhanced Connectivity
Punjab's rail network received a significant boost with the introduction of three new train services between June and November 2025, catering to religious, regional, and high-speed travel needs.
The Firozpur Cantt–Hazur Sahib Nanded Weekly Express began its journey on June 13, operating every Friday from Firozpur. This was closely followed by the Firozpur Cantt–Haridwar Weekly Express on June 18, a service tailored for pilgrims departing every Wednesday night.
The most notable addition was the inauguration of the Firozpur Cantonment–New Delhi Vande Bharat Express on November 8. Operating six days a week, this train is the first high-speed service for the Malwa region. It covers the 486 km distance in six hours and 40 minutes, with scheduled halts at Dhuri, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, and Patiala. A stop at Barnala was incorporated a week after launch following public demand.
Furthermore, regional connectivity was strengthened by extending the Intercity Superfast Express to originate from Firozpur from November onwards, providing direct bi-weekly links to New Delhi.
Station Redevelopment and Revival of Historic Projects
A cornerstone of the 2025 initiatives is the comprehensive redevelopment of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat scheme. Work is in progress at 30 stations across Punjab, an increase from the initially planned 22. While work commenced between February and November 2023, fixed completion deadlines are yet to be announced.
Ludhiana Junction leads the list with an allocation of Rs 465 crore, underscoring its status as a major commercial hub. Other significant allocations include Jalandhar Cantt (Rs 99 crore), Patiala (Rs 47.5 crore), and Mohali (Rs 23.2 crore).
2025 also saw the revival of several long-stalled rail links that had been pending for generations:
- Rajpura–Mohali Rail Line: Announced in September, this 18-km line, pending for over 50 years, will be built at a cost of Rs 443 crore. It is expected to shorten the rail distance between Ludhiana and Chandigarh by nearly 66 km.
- Firozpur–Patti Rail Line: Approved at a cost of Rs 764.19 crore, this 25.72-km broad-gauge line will reduce the distance between Firozpur and Amritsar from 196 km to about 100 km.
- Qadian–Beas Rail Link: A project originally sanctioned in 1929, which was shelved after partial completion in 1932, has been directed for revival. Its cost has escalated from Rs 205 crore in 2010 to over Rs 840 crore.
Record Investment and the Path Forward
Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, highlighted the transformative scale of work completed since 2014, including the laying of 382 km of new tracks, 100% electrification of the network (1,634 km), and the construction of 409 railway flyovers and underbridges.
While the announcements and project launches in 2025 have set a robust foundation, the primary challenge ahead lies in execution. With projects worth Rs 25,000 crore in various stages, the focus for the coming years will be squarely on meeting deadlines and converting these ambitious plans into tangible, completed infrastructure on the ground. The success of this massive investment will ultimately be measured by timely delivery and the enhanced connectivity it promises to bring to every region of Punjab.
