The Railway Ministry has decided to short-terminate the narrow-gauge train at Dalhousie Road railway station, effectively removing 12 level crossings that have long divided Pathankot and stunted its economic growth. Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu announced the decision, which follows decades of public demand and efforts by local representatives.
Decades-Old Bottleneck to Be Eliminated
For nearly a century, the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar narrow-gauge line—known as the Kangra Valley Railway—has been a source of chronic congestion. Built between 1922 and 1929, the 164-km route was commissioned in stages, with the Pathankot-Nagrota section opening on December 1, 1928. The British-era line remains one of India's longest narrow-gauge railways. Within Pathankot's municipal limits, 12 level crossings forced traffic to halt simultaneously whenever the toy train passed, effectively cutting the city in half several times daily.
Economic Toll on the City
The frequent closures disrupted businesses and eroded Pathankot's once-thriving economy, which was built around timber, travel and transport. Many industrial units relocated to neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, attracted by better connectivity and tax incentives. Property prices stagnated in affected areas, and emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire engines often faced severe delays. According to Bittu, the Dalhousie Road station will be redeveloped at a cost of Rs 21.42 crore, and a technical team is finalising operational details.
Long-Standing Demand Finally Addressed
Several public representatives had raised the issue over the years. Former Gurdaspur MP Vinod Khanna repeatedly pressed successive Railway Ministers, while former MPs Partap Singh Bajwa and Sunil Jakhar also pursued the proposal. Former Pathankot MLA Amit Vij explored solutions through his contacts in New Delhi, but bureaucratic and technical hurdles stalled progress. The surge in traffic from the early 1980s worsened congestion, making the crossings a major infrastructural constraint.
Expected Benefits
Residents hope the decision will finally ease traffic congestion, improve urban mobility and revive commercial activity. Once implemented, the project is expected to give Pathankot a fresh impetus for growth, shedding the burden of its 12 railway crossings after decades of waiting.
