Punjab Railway Budget: The construction of the four-lane Railway Over Bridge (ROB) at Level Crossing No. 164AB in Doraha will emerge as a landmark infrastructure project, significantly strengthening connectivity between the Malwa region, the capital of Punjab, and adjoining districts, said Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries. During the event, Shri Vinod Bhatia, Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Raju, Chief Engineer (Road Safety Project), and other senior officers were present.
Punjab Railway Budget: Foundation Stone Laid for ₹70.55 Crore Project
Addressing the media after laying the foundation stone of the much-awaited four-lane ROB, the Minister stated that the project, estimated to cost ₹70.55 crore, will be completed within the next year. He emphasized that the work will now proceed on a war footing and the bridge will be opened to the public at the earliest, bringing long-overdue relief to commuters who have faced inconvenience at the level crossing for nearly 12 years.
The Doraha level crossing lies on a vital road stretch connecting Rupnagar to Ludhiana, serving as an important link between the capital city of Punjab and the entire Malwa region. Highlighting the urgency of the project, the Minister noted that nearly 190 trains pass through this crossing daily, while more than 3,000 vehicles traverse it each day. Frequent closures due to rail traffic have caused persistent congestion, long waiting times, and significant hardship for commuters, traders, and transporters alike. With the construction of the ROB, these challenges are expected to be resolved.
Punjab Railway Budget: Government’s Commitment to Punjab’s Rail Infrastructure
Expressing gratitude, S. Ravneet Singh thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving and sanctioning the project as a major gift to the people of the region. He stated that the new four-lane ROB will not only ease daily commuting but will also accelerate economic activity by ensuring seamless movement of goods and services.
Providing an overview of ongoing railway infrastructure development in Punjab, the Minister informed that works on Railway Over Bridges (ROB), Railway Under Bridges (RUB), and Low Height Subways (LHS) are currently underway at 166 locations across the state, with a total investment of ₹1,480.09 crore. He underscored that there is no shortage of funds for railway infrastructure development in Punjab and reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to modernizing and expanding the rail network in the state. He further highlighted that the annual railway budget allocation for Punjab today stands at ₹5,673 crore—nearly 25 times higher than during the 2009–2014 period.
Major Projects Worth ₹26,382 Crore Underway
Currently, infrastructure projects worth ₹26,382 crore are in progress across Punjab, encompassing new track construction, station redevelopment, safety enhancement measures, and other capacity augmentation initiatives. Additionally, 30 railway stations in the state are being comprehensively redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with a total investment of ₹1,311 crore, aimed at providing modern passenger amenities and improved facilities.
Delhi–Ambala Rail Expansion to Enhance Capacity
The Minister also extended his appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister for approving the construction of the third and fourth railway lines between Delhi and Ambala. This significant project forms part of the broader initiative to quadruple the highly utilized Delhi–Jammu corridor, a crucial arterial route linking the National Capital Region with northern states.
The Delhi–Ambala section, covering 194 kilometers and estimated at ₹5,983 crore, is scheduled for completion within four years. Passing through key districts of Haryana and Delhi, the project will greatly enhance line capacity, improve operational efficiency, and reduce congestion. It will facilitate the introduction of additional passenger and freight trains, strengthen supply chains by connecting thermal power plants and industrial hubs, and boost connectivity to major pilgrimage and tourist destinations such as Katra, Srinagar, Jammu, and Shimla.
The enhanced capacity is expected to handle approximately 24.6 million tonnes of additional freight traffic annually. The project will also generate environmental benefits, including annual CO₂ savings of 43 crore kilograms—equivalent to planting around 1.7 crore trees. Logistics cost savings of nearly ₹952 crore per year are projected, while the construction phase is expected to generate employment equivalent to 132 lakh human-days, further contributing to economic growth and regional development.
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