Track to the Future: Anil Vij Greenlights ₹1,464cr Rail & Road Boost

Anil Vij has announced that Indian Railways has approved the Final Location Survey (FLS) for the proposed third and fourth railway lines on the Ambala–Chandigarh corridor.

The survey is expected to commence shortly, marking a key step toward enhancing rail capacity on the busy route. Vij had taken up the matter with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the steady rise in passenger traffic between Ambala and Chandigarh. The addition of two new lines is aimed at providing safer, more affordable, and convenient travel, while also helping to ease congestion on parallel road networks.

In parallel, a 10-kilometre spur road has been proposed to strengthen connectivity between Dera Bassi and the Zirakpur bypass, improving access to Chandimandir, Kalka, and Shimla. The project, estimated at ₹1,464 crore, is expected to significantly reduce travel time for commuters travelling from the Ambala–Mohali highway toward the Zirakpur bypass.

Emphasising the urgency of the rail expansion, Vij noted that the route currently operates with only two lines despite serving lakhs of passengers daily from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. He pointed out that Ambala Cantonment’s importance as a military and industrial hub, coupled with Chandigarh’s status as a state capital, makes enhanced connectivity between the two cities crucial for supporting regional economic growth and improving commuter convenience.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.