Parliament: MP Satnam Sandhu seeks ‘Border Area Express’ for Punjab’s border areas
‘Union Government allocates record Rs 5,673 crore for railway infrastructure in Punjab, 25 times higher than UPA allocation’, informs Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Parliament
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), February 6, 2026: Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Satnam Singh Sandhu on Thursday raised the issue of strengthening railway connectivity in Punjab’s border areas during Question Hour in Parliament, urging the Union Government to consider launching a special ‘Border Area Express’ to connect frontier districts with the rest of the country.
Highlighting Punjab’s strategic importance, MP Sandhu said the state shares a 550-km international border, covering districts such as Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Fazilka, and requires robust railway infrastructure to support both farmers and defence personnel stationed along the border.
“The improved railway connectivity will significantly benefit residents of border regions, especially farmers by easing transportation of agricultural produce, fertilizers and farm equipment, while also facilitating smoother movement for our defence forces,” Sandhu said while raising the matter during the ongoing Budget Session.
Replying to the query, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the House that the Modi-led Union Government has allocated a record ₹5,673 crore for railway infrastructure in Punjab, which is 25 times higher than allocations made during the UPA regime.
The minister detailed that Punjab has already witnessed major railway upgrades, including the introduction of three Vande Bharat high-speed trains connecting cities such as Ferozepur, Amritsar and Nangal, sanctioning of the 25.72-km Ferozepur–Patti rail link at an estimated cost of ₹764.19 crore, and redevelopment of 30 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Additionally, Punjab has achieved 100 per cent railway electrification, while projects worth ₹26,382 crore are currently under execution across the state.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Government, MP Sandhu said Punjab’s infrastructure growth aligns with the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “NRIs visiting Punjab can clearly witness the transformation and rapid infrastructure development,” he said.
Referring to urban infrastructure, Sandhu added that the redevelopment of Chandigarh Railway Station is progressing at a fast pace and “matches global standards, comparable to world-class railway stations in Japan.”