Centre Revives ₹1,400 Crore Qadian-Beas Railway Project

The project will create a new 39.68-kilometre broad-gauge rail corridor connecting Qadian in Gurdaspur district with Beas in Amritsar district.

The Government of India has revived the long-awaited Qadian–Beas New Railway Line Project, a move expected to improve connectivity, boost economic activity and strengthen railway infrastructure across Punjab's Majha region.

Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, announced the revival of the project and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their support in advancing railway development in the state.

The project will create a new 39.68-kilometre broad-gauge rail corridor connecting Qadian in Gurdaspur district with Beas in Amritsar district. The estimated cost of the railway line stands at around ₹1,400 crore and it will be implemented by Northern Railway.

New Rail Link to Connect Key Towns in Majha

The proposed route will pass through several important towns and villages, including Qadian, Dhapai, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and Beas. Residents in these areas are expected to benefit from improved transportation options, easier access to major urban centres and better connectivity to the wider railway network.

The project includes the construction of two crossing stations at Ghuman and Butala, along with extensive supporting infrastructure. Plans include 11 major bridges, 121 minor bridges and 54 Road Under Bridges (RUBs). Modern signalling and telecommunication systems will also be installed, while trains operating on the route will be protected by Kavach, India's indigenous train collision avoidance system.

Project Returns After Decades of Delays

The railway link has a history stretching back nearly a century. It was originally approved during 1928–29 under the then North-Western Railway during British rule. Construction had progressed significantly by the early 1930s before the project was eventually shelved due to changing priorities and circumstances.

Its importance was recognised again when it was included under the Socially Desirable Rail Connectivity Programme and featured in the supplementary Railway Budget for 2010–11. Despite that, the project remained stalled for years because of procedural and administrative challenges. The revised proposal has now received fresh momentum, bringing the long-delayed railway connection closer to reality.

Economic and Tourism Benefits Expected

Officials believe the railway line will create significant economic opportunities across the region. Improved transport links are expected to help farmers move agricultural produce more efficiently while supporting local businesses, trade and small industries.

The project is also expected to generate employment during both construction and operational phases, encouraging further investment across the Majha belt. Beyond economic benefits, the railway line will improve access to several major religious and spiritual destinations. These include Qadian, the birthplace of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh in Beas, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdwara Achal Sahib, Gurdwara Bhagat Namdev Ji in Ghuman, Burj Sahib, Pandori Dham, Ram Sharnam Temple and the Shirdi Sai Temple in Gurdaspur.

The new rail connection is expected to make travel easier for pilgrims and visitors, supporting growth in religious tourism across the region. Bittu described the revival as a historic milestone for the people of Qadian, Beas, Ghuman, Butala, Sathiala and the wider Majha region, adding that the government remains committed to securing all approvals and ensuring the project's timely execution.