Ludhiana, Feb 17 (JKNS): Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, S. Ravneet Singh, on Tuesday said the four-lane Railway Over Bridge (ROB) at Doraha will transform connectivity across the Malwa region and bring long-awaited relief to commuters facing congestion at the busy level crossing for over a decade.
As per news agency JKNS, The construction of the four-lane Railway Over Bridge (ROB) at Level Crossing No. 164AB in Doraha will emerge as a landmark infrastructure project, significantly strengthening connectivity between the Malwa region, the capital of Punjab, and adjoining districts, said Ravneet Singh Bittu, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries.
During the event, Vinod Bhatia, Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala, Rajiv Ranjan Raju, Chief Engineer (Road Safety Project) and other senior officers were present.
Addressing the media after laying the foundation stone of the much-awaited four-lane ROB, the Minister stated that the project, estimated to cost ₹70.55 crore, will be completed within the next year.
He emphasized that the work will now proceed on a war footing and the bridge will be opened to the public at the earliest, bringing long-overdue relief to commuters who have faced inconvenience at the level crossing for nearly 12 years.
Ravneet Said that The Doraha level crossing lies on a vital road stretch connecting Rupnagar to Ludhiana, serving as an important link between the capital city of Punjab and the entire Malwa region. Highlighting the urgency of the project, the Minister noted that nearly 190 trains pass through this crossing daily, while more than 3,000 vehicles traverse it each day.
The frequent closures due to rail traffic have caused persistent congestion, long waiting times, and significant hardship for commuters, traders, and transporters alike. With the construction of the ROB, these challenges will soon be a thing of the past.
Expressing gratitude, S. Ravneet Singh thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving and sanctioning the project as a major gift to the people of the region.
He stated that the new four-lane ROB will not only ease daily commuting but will also accelerate economic activity by ensuring seamless movement of goods and services.
Providing an overview of ongoing railway infrastructure development in Punjab, the Minister informed that works on Railway Over Bridges (ROB), Railway Under Bridges (RUB), and Low Height Subways (LHS) are currently underway at 166 locations across the state, with a total investment of ₹1,480.09 crore. He underscored that there is no shortage of funds for railway infrastructure development in Punjab and reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to modernizing and expanding the rail network in the state.
He further highlighted that the annual railway budget allocation for Punjab today is nearly 25 times higher than during the 2009-2014 period, amounting to ₹5,673 crore.
Currently, infrastructure projects worth ₹26,382 crore are in progress across Punjab, encompassing new track construction, station redevelopment, safety enhancement measures, and other capacity augmentation initiatives.
Additionally, 30 railway stations in the state are being comprehensively redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with a total investment of ₹1,311 crore, aimed at providing modern passenger amenities and improved facilities.
The Minister also extended his appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister for approving the construction of the 3rd and 4th railway lines between Delhi and Ambala. This significant project forms part of the broader initiative to quadruple the highly utilized Delhi–Jammu corridor, a crucial arterial route linking the National Capital Region with northern states.
The Delhi-Ambala section is among the busiest rail corridors in the country, handling substantial passenger and freight traffic. The addition of the third and fourth lines will greatly enhance line capacity, improve operational efficiency, and reduce congestion.
Covering a route length of 194 kilometers and estimated at a cost of ₹5,983 crore, the project is scheduled for completion within four years. It will pass through the districts of Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Ambala in Haryana, as well as Central, North West, and North Delhi.
The enhanced capacity will allow for the introduction of additional passenger and freight trains, improving punctuality and service reliability. The corridor connects key economic nodes, including thermal power plants at Ropar, Panipat, and Rajpura, in addition to agriculture warehouses and industrial hubs. By facilitating smoother freight movement, the project will strengthen supply chains and contribute to economic growth.
The upgraded corridor will also improve connectivity to major pilgrimage and tourist destinations such as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Srinagar, Jammu, and Shimla, thereby boosting tourism and regional development.
In addition, the project is expected to facilitate approximately 24.6 million tonnes of additional freight traffic annually, easing pressure on existing infrastructure. It will generate significant environmental benefits, including estimated annual CO₂ savings of 43 crore kilograms equivalent to planting around 1.7 crore trees. Logistics cost savings of approximately ₹952 crore per year are projected, enhancing overall economic competitiveness.
During the construction phase, the project is expected to generate employment amounting to 132 lakh human-days. (JKNS)
