GURDASPUR/NEW DELHI, May 2025: The Ministry of Railways has approved the final location survey for the proposed 30-kilometre Gurdaspur–Mukerian railway line.
Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, confirmed the decision, calling the project strategically significant for both civilian and defense logistics. “This rail link is not only vital for enhancing regional connectivity but also provides an additional and shorter route to Amritsar,” Bittu said.
Situated between the Ravi and Beas rivers, Gurdaspur is a key district in the Majha region and shares a border with Pakistan. It functions as a major goods loading point for food grains and fertilizers, dispatching an average of five rakes per month. Two Goods Cargo Terminals (GCTs) – Chinna and Kathunangal – also operate nearby, supporting regional freight handling.
Currently, freight from Gurdaspur to Ambala travels either via Amritsar and Jalandhar (about 140 km) or through Pathankot and Jalandhar (approximately 142 km). The new link via Mukerian is expected to cut the distance by around 50 km per rake, streamlining the supply chain and eliminating the need for rake reversal at Amritsar station.
The proposed line also holds strategic military value, with Tibar (Tibri Cantonment) located in the vicinity. “Being a border district with a cantonment, military traffic is expected to benefit significantly from this project,” Bittu noted.
The route may also open up new potential for local industries, including the woolen goods sector based in Dhariwal, further embedding the line into the region’s economic framework.
