Ludhiana, February 17, 2026: The foundation stone for a long-awaited four-lane Railway Over Bridge (ROB) at Level Crossing No. 164AB in Doraha was laid on Tuesday, with Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu describing the project as a transformative step for connectivity across Punjab’s Malwa region.
Addressing the media after the ceremony, the Minister said the ₹70.55 crore project would significantly ease traffic congestion and improve mobility between the Malwa region, Ludhiana, Rupnagar and the state capital, Chandigarh. He assured that construction would proceed “on a war footing” and be completed within a year, bringing relief to thousands of commuters who have struggled with delays at the level crossing for nearly 12 years.
The Doraha crossing lies on a crucial road stretch connecting Rupnagar to Ludhiana, forming a key link between Chandigarh and the wider Malwa belt. According to officials, nearly 190 trains pass through the crossing daily, while more than 3,000 vehicles use the route each day. Frequent gate closures due to rail traffic have led to long queues, congestion, and delays, affecting commuters, traders, and transporters.
“With the construction of this four-lane ROB, these persistent challenges will soon be eliminated,” the Minister said, adding that smoother traffic flow would not only reduce travel time but also enhance economic activity by ensuring seamless movement of goods and services.
Senior railway officials, including Divisional Railway Manager Ambala Vinod Bhatia and Chief Engineer (Road Safety Project) Rajiv Ranjan Raju, were present at the event.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving and sanctioning the project, calling it a “major gift” to the people of the region.
Highlighting broader railway infrastructure development in Punjab, he said that work on Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), Railway Under Bridges (RUBs), and Low Height Subways (LHS) is currently underway at 166 locations across the state, with a combined investment of ₹1,480.09 crore. He emphasized that there is no shortage of funds for railway infrastructure in Punjab and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding and modernizing the state’s rail network.
According to the Minister, the annual railway budget allocation for Punjab now stands at ₹5,673 crore—nearly 25 times higher than allocations during the 2009–2014 period. He added that infrastructure projects worth ₹26,382 crore are presently in progress across the state, covering new track construction, station redevelopment, safety upgrades, and capacity enhancement initiatives.
As part of these efforts, 30 railway stations in Punjab are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with an investment of ₹1,311 crore aimed at upgrading passenger amenities and improving facilities.
The Minister also welcomed the approval for the construction of third and fourth railway lines between Delhi and Ambala. The expansion is part of a larger plan to quadruple the heavily utilized Delhi–Jammu corridor, one of the country’s key rail arteries linking the National Capital Region with northern states. The Delhi–Ambala section is among the busiest in India, handling significant passenger and freight traffic.
Once completed, the Doraha four-lane ROB is expected to not only decongest a critical junction but also strengthen regional connectivity and support economic growth across Punjab’s Malwa region.
