Punjab is a state renowned for its vibrant culture and warm hospitality, home to numerous historic sites, magnificent temples, and breathtaking natural beauty. And while the state has a robust public transport system in the form of state-wide government buses, international airports (Amritsar and Chandigarh), and railway junctions (Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, etc), the latter form of transport is set for a major upgrade. The state will soon see a new Vande Bharat Express connecting Ferozepur to the national capital of New Delhi. Not only that, but the Rajpura-Mohali line is finally taking shape after 50 years of its proposal! Keep reading to know how Punjab’s railway network is about to hit a new milestone.
New Vande Bharat Express And New Railway Line: How Rail Network Is About To Expand In Punjab
Announcement To Expand Punjab’s Railway Network
On September 23, 2025, Indian Railways announced that Punjab would see a new Vande Bharat Express soon. While the dates of the official launch are not out yet, the proposal has been cleared and will be sent for cabinet approval soon. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced this development as well as announced a new rail link that will be built between Rajpura and Mohali, directly connecting the two major cities in Punjab.
Let’s dive into more details about these two rail projects individually:
Vande Bharat Express: Ferozepur To New Delhi Now In About 6.5 Hours!
Ferozepur is a historic district headquarters located near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. It is now set to be connected to the national capital of New Delhi, opening up a new route for travelers.
The new Vande Bharat Express from Ferozepur to New Delhi will depart from the Ferozepur Cantonment Station (Ferozepur Cantt) at 7:55 AM on all days except Wednesdays. It will arrive in New Delhi by 2:35 PM on the same day. En route, it will halt at major stations like Faridkot, Bathinda, Dhuri, Patiala, Ambala Cantt, Kurukshetra, and Panipat.
On its way back, the train will leave New Delhi by 4 PM and reach Ferozepur Cantt by 10:35 PM. It will halt at the same stations as mentioned above in the return journey as well.
The Ferozepur-New Delhi route is about 486 km long (one-way) and will take about 6 hours and 40 minutes. This means that the train will cover an approximate distance of 972 km daily and be operational for 13 hours 20 minutes.
Just like other Vande Bharat trains in India, this train will come with modern amenities and services meant to make travel comfortable and super-fast for travelers. Some of these amenities are as follows:
- Fully air-conditioned coaches
- Reclining seats
- Automatic sliding doors
- Bio-vaccuum toilets
- On-board meals (about INR 200 – INR 300)
Rajpura-Mohali Railway Line: A 443-Crore Rail Expansion Project
Along with the new Vande Bharat Express, Punjab will also see a major upgrade in its railway network. The Rajpura-Mohali line has been on paper for over fifty years, and it is now after several decades that the project will finally enter execution mode. Rajpura and Mohali are two of the most important cities in Punjab, both serving as major commercial hubs. So, connecting the two cities had been proposed for quite some time.
Now, the new rail line, which will span for 18 km, will connect Rajpura and Mohali. And if you’re wondering about the cost of this project, the massively delayed project will be built at a whopping cost of INR 443 crore!
The new rail line will significantly boost connectivity between the two cities, ultimately boosting business, travel, and the state’s economy. Mohali is a thriving Information Technology hub and Rajpura, with its proximity to Chandigarh, is a significant economic and residential hub.
It will significantly cut down travel time for thousands of commuters. Currently, the trains passing via Ludhiana have to go through Ambala before they reach Chandigarh. This added more time and distance to the route. With the new Rajpura-Mohali railway line, this region would directly tie into the Chandigarh line.
Apart from the Rajpura-Mohali line, Punjab will also see major upgrades with a total of seven new railway projects in the pipeline. These include the Bhanupali-Bilaspu-Beri new line, Nangal Dam-Talwara new line, and Ferozpur-Patti new line.
Summing Up
Punjab’s railway network is about to improve connectivity and boost economic growth, daily commute, and travel within the different regions. The new Vande Bharat will connect Ferozepur and New Delhi and make the journey super-fast and comfortable. On the other hand, the new Rajpura-Mohali railway line will drastically reduce travel time and connect the two cities after a proposal that was only on paper for over 50 years. As the region continues to develop, these ambitious projects will play an important role in attracting investors, tourists, and businesses into Punjab.
