Indian Railways (IR) is placing special emphasis of building railway infrastructure in border regions and strategic areas, said Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
He was responding to the discussion in Parliament on the Demands for Grants (2026–27) of the Ministry of Railways, on Tuesday.
In Jammu & Kashmir, works such as Baramulla-Uri extension (DPR stage), Qazigund -Budgam doubling and surveys for Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch connectivity are being done, he said.
In the North Eastern region, preparation and completion of DPRs for several projects for new lines such as Lanka–Silchar, Dekargaon–Silghat, are on. Surveys and construction activities are also underway for capacity enhancement, including additional lines between New Jalpaiguri and Kamakhya.
Vaishnaw further stated that international connectivity projects, such as rail link to Bhutan, have also been taken up.
In northern and western border areas, projects such as Anupgarh–Khajuwala, Jaisalmer–Barmer–Bhildi, along the India–Pakistan border are being developed to improve accessibility and logistics.
In Himachal Pradesh and adjoining regions, works such as the Beri–Manali–Leh (DPR stage) and Ghanauli –Baddi line are progressing. Similarly, in Punjab and other northern states, new lines and capacity enhancement projects are underway.
He added that a strategically important project in the Siliguri corridor, where plans are being developed for a 30-km underground double line corridor to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in critical situations.
Moreover, along the India–Nepal border, multiple doubling and capacity enhancement projects are being undertaken, including sections such as Narkatiaganj–Raxaul–Sitamarhi–Darbhanga–Muzaffarpur, to strengthen cross-border connectivity and regional development, he summed up.
