The Minister also identified three other major rail projects delayed by land acquisition issues.

‘Sluggish Support’ from Punjab Govt Hindering Rail Projects, Union Minister Tells Rajya Sabha

The Central Government has informed Parliament that several major railway projects in Punjab are stalled due to a lack of support from the state administration. According to the report, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared these details in response to a question posed by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu in the House on Friday.

The Minister specifically pointed to the sluggish support of the Punjab government as the primary reason for the inability to execute ambitious ventures like the Ferozepur-Patti project. This line, strategically significant due to its proximity to the international border, has faced prolonged delays. Consequently, the Ministry of Railways has decided to fund and execute the Ferozepur-Patti new line independently.

The Minister also identified three other major rail projects delayed by land acquisition issues: the Alal-Himmatana Chord Line, the Qadian-Beas New Line, and the Rama Mandi (Raman)-Talwandi Sabo New Line. 

Due to significant delays, the Railway Ministry will now independently fund and execute the Ferozepur-Patti project. Meanwhile, the newly approved 18-km Rajpura-Mohali line, costing Rs 443 crore, has entered the land acquisition phase. As of April 2025, nine railway projects in Punjab were in different stages of development.

Source: The Tribune