Mohali, 25 October 2025: The Union Ministry of Railways has approved the acquisition of land for the long-awaited Rajpura–Mohali rail link, paving the way for construction work to begin soon. Officials said once land acquisition is completed, the process of laying the railway line will start and is expected to take about a year.
The 18.11-km line, sanctioned at a cost of ₹443 crore, will provide direct connectivity between the Malwa region of Punjab and the state capital, Chandigarh — fulfilling a nearly five-decade-old demand of residents. The Centre had granted formal approval for the project earlier this month, and preliminary groundwork has already started, officials noted.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Railways, 52.84 hectares of land will be acquired across villages in the districts of Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali).
Currently, trains from Ludhiana to Chandigarh have to pass through Ambala, significantly increasing travel time. The new route is expected to shorten the journey by approximately 66 km, providing a faster and more direct link between key districts in Punjab.
Officials said the project will not only ease passenger movement but also improve freight transport efficiency in the region. “This long-pending rail corridor will boost connectivity and economic growth across the Malwa belt,” a senior railway official said.
