This link is crucial for the estimated 70,000 daily commuters who currently face heavy traffic on the Zirakpur-Banur highway.
Relief for Daily Commuters: Rajpura-Mohali Rail Link Targets 18-Month Completion
In a significant update for Punjab’s infrastructure, the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a major project to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion in the region. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu recently announced a new bypass line for Rs 411.96 crore in Rajpura, while Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi said that the Rajpura-Mohali rail link is expected to be finished within 18 months.
The 18-km Rajpura-Mohali project, costing Rs 443 crore, will directly connect the Malwa region with Chandigarh. Currently, commuters must take a long route through Ambala, but this new direct line will shorten the journey by approximately 66 km. This link is crucial for the estimated 70,000 daily commuters who currently face heavy traffic on the Zirakpur-Banur highway.
The bypass project specifically includes a 13.46-km line connecting the New Shambhu Dedicated Freight Corridor to Kauli station. This is intended to decongest the saturated Rajpura Yard, a major bottleneck on the Ambala-Jalandhar corridor.
Land acquisition is already underway, with 53.84 hectares being acquired across Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and SAS Nagar districts. Once operational, these rail upgrades will lower logistics costs for industries, such as the Rajpura Thermal Power Plant, and provide easier access to important heritage sites like Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. Local residents and professionals have welcomed the news as a long-overdue boost to Punjab's economy and regional travel.
Source: The Tribune
