The Pathankot-Joginder Nagar narrow gauge railway line is seeing major changes. After a four-year gap, the narrow gauge services resumed on June 2, 2026, following the completion of the new bridge over the Chakki River. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways is working on a massive project to convert this 200 km track into a broad gauge line to improve connectivity.
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What is the status of the Broad Gauge conversion
The survey for converting the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar line to broad gauge has been completed by an agency from Hyderabad. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav confirmed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently being prepared. Once the DPR is ready, it will be shared with the state government and then sent to the NITI Aayog and Finance Ministry for final approval. The estimated cost for this entire project is around 30,000 crore rupees.
Key details of the project and recent updates
The project aims to upgrade the existing narrow gauge infrastructure to handle larger trains and more passengers. Various official updates regarding the timeline and funding are listed below:
| Date | Update/Event |
|---|---|
| January 14, 2025 | Final physical survey approved |
| August 11, 2025 | Survey progress and DPR preparation confirmed in Rajya Sabha |
| September 21, 2025 | Survey completed by Hyderabad agency |
| December 17, 2025 | DPR preparation confirmed to MP Dr. Rajiv Bhardwaj |
| March 18, 2026 | Ministry informed Lok Sabha about broad gauge plans |
| June 2, 2026 | Narrow gauge services officially restored |
Impact on local travel and tourism
The restoration of the narrow gauge service on June 2, 2026, has brought relief to local commuters and tourists. The service was stopped in 2022 because the Chakki River bridge was damaged by floods. MP Anurag Singh Thakur mentioned that the central government provided 2,911 crore rupees for Himachal rail projects in the 2026-27 financial year. This upgrade to broad gauge will eventually boost trade and tourism in the Kangra Valley region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar narrow gauge service start again?
The narrow gauge service was officially restored on June 2, 2026, after the new bridge over the Chakki River was completed.
What is the estimated cost of the broad gauge conversion project?
The estimated cost for converting the 200 km Pathankot-Joginder Nagar line to broad gauge is approximately 30,000 crore rupees.