Ferozepur— In a landmark development for Punjab’s transport infrastructure, the Ministry of Railways has approved the long-pending Ferozepur–Patti Rail Link Project, covering 25.72 km at an estimated cost of ₹764.19 crore. The cost includes ₹166 crore for land acquisition, which will be fully borne by the Railways.
Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu announced the sanction, calling it a “historic gift to Punjab.” He said the project would drastically reduce the distance between Ferozepur and Amritsar from 196 km to about 100 km, and shorten the Jammu–Ferozepur–Fazilka–Mumbai corridor by 236 km.
Originally sanctioned in April 2017 at ₹299.74 crore, the project had faced delays due to land acquisition hurdles. With renewed approval, the Ministry has placed it on fast-track execution to connect Punjab’s border districts—Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, and Amritsar—into a powerful economic corridor linking northern India to Gujarat’s ports.
Bittu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the project’s dual strategic and economic significance. “This new link will provide an alternative rail route near the international border, allowing faster movement of defence personnel and equipment while reviving an important pre-Partition route,” he said.
The Ferozepur–Patti line will connect the Jalandhar–Ferozepur and Patti–Khemkaran routes, enhancing connectivity for over 10 lakh residents. It is expected to generate nearly 2.5 lakh jobs and serve 2,500–3,500 passengers daily, benefiting students, workers, and patients from surrounding areas.
Officials said the project will boost trade, reduce freight costs, and improve access to agricultural markets, encouraging investment in healthcare, education, and industry. It will also strengthen Amritsar’s position as a key religious and commercial hub, visited by over one lakh tourists every day, while reducing the Ferozepur–Khemkaran travel distance from 294 km to just 110 km.
