Railway Projects in Punjab Face Delays Due to Land Acquisition Hurdles
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted that four crucial railway projects in Punjab are experiencing significant delays primarily because of pending land acquisition processes. In a detailed response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu regarding the status of railway infrastructure in the state, Vaishnaw underscored that the timely completion of these projects is heavily reliant on cooperation and support from the Punjab government.
Minister Emphasizes State Government's Role in Project Progress
Vaishnaw asserted that while the Government of India is fully prepared to plan, sanction, and execute railway infrastructure works, the actual progress on the ground is closely linked to the assistance provided by state authorities. He pointed out that delays in acquiring land have adversely impacted the pace of several important projects, stressing that expediting land acquisition and obtaining statutory clearances are critical steps for moving forward.
Overview of Railway Projects in Punjab
The Railway minister provided a comprehensive overview of the current railway projects in Punjab. A total of nine projects are in various stages of planning, sanctioning, and execution, comprising four new line projects and five doubling projects. These initiatives cover an extensive total length of 714 kilometers and involve an estimated investment of Rs 21,926 crore. As of March 2025, 115 kilometers have already been commissioned, with an expenditure of Rs 8,079 crore incurred.
Specific Projects Affected by Land Acquisition Delays
Vaishnaw listed the specific projects that are being held up due to land acquisition issues:
- Firozpur–Patti New Line Project: This project is pending due to the non-acquisition of 166 hectares of land.
- Alal–Himmatana Chord Line Project: Facing delays with 20 hectares of land yet to be acquired.
- Qadian–Beas New Line Project: 151 hectares of land are still pending for acquisition.
- Rama Mandi (Raman)–Talwandi Sabo New Line Project: Awaiting acquisition of 85 hectares of land.
Additionally, the Mukerian–Talwara new line project is also experiencing hold-ups due to issues related to the availability of earth from mud mining required for laying the railway line, which is pending approval from the Punjab government.
Union Government's Measures to Expedite Projects
Vaishnaw highlighted several initiatives taken by the Union government to ensure the speedy approval and implementation of railway projects across the country. These measures include:
- Setting up Gati Shakti units to streamline coordination.
- Prioritization of key infrastructure projects.
- A substantial increase in fund allocation for priority works.
- Delegation of powers at the field level to accelerate decision-making.
- Close monitoring of project progress at multiple administrative levels.
- Regular follow-up with state governments and concerned authorities to expedite land acquisition, forestry and wildlife clearances, and resolve other project-related issues.
He noted that these proactive steps have led to a significant increase in the rate of commissioning railway projects since 2014, demonstrating the central government's commitment to enhancing rail infrastructure.
Factors Influencing Project Sanctioning
The Railway minister clarified that the sanctioning of railway projects depends on a multitude of factors, ensuring that investments are made wisely and effectively. These factors include:
- Anticipated traffic and financial viability of the proposed routes.
- First- and last-mile connectivity to integrate with existing transport networks.
- Bridging missing links in the railway network to improve overall efficiency.
- Decongestion of saturated routes to enhance operational capacity.
- Demands raised by state governments and public representatives based on local needs.
- The Railways' operational requirements for safety and efficiency.
- Socio-economic considerations to support regional development.
- Overall availability of funds within the budgetary framework.
Call for Timely Support to Boost Connectivity and Economy
Vaishnaw reiterated that with timely and effective support from the Punjab government, the pending railway projects in the state could be completed expeditiously. He emphasized that completing these projects would significantly improve connectivity across Punjab, facilitating better transportation for passengers and goods. Moreover, enhanced rail infrastructure is expected to boost economic development by creating jobs, improving trade links, and fostering industrial growth in the region.
The minister's statements underscore the critical interplay between central planning and state-level execution in large-scale infrastructure projects, highlighting land acquisition as a pivotal challenge that requires collaborative efforts to overcome.
