Suratgarh–Bathinda line

The Suratgarh–Bathinda line or Suratgarh–Shri Ganganagar–Bathinda line is a railway route on the North Western Railway zone and Northern Railway zone of Indian Railways. This route plays an important role in rail transportation of Bikaner division of Rajasthan state and Fazilka district, Sri Muktsar Sahib district and Bathinda district of Punjab.

Suratgarh–Bathinda line with Anupgarh and Fazilka–Abohar branch lines
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Indian Railways
Locale	Rajasthan and Punjab
Termini	Suratgarh Junction Bathinda Junction
Service
Operator(s)	North Western Railway Northern Railway
History
Opened	1970 (Main line) 30 March 1929 (Anupgarh branch) 17 July 2012 (Fazilka branch)
Technical
Line length	Main line 264 km (164 mi) Branch lines: Fazilka–Abohar 43 km (27 mi) Sarupsar–Anupgarh 56 km (35 mi)
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad Gauge
Old gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Metre gauge
Electrification	Yes
Operating speed	100 km/h
Route map Legend to Delhi–Fazilka line to Bathinda–Rewari line to Bathinda–Rajpura line to Jodhpur–Bathinda line 264 Bathinda on Delhi–Fazilka line 254 Bahman Diwana 248 Bulluana 244 Karamgarh Sardargarh Halt to Ludhiana–Fazilka line 240 Daula Kot Bhai on Delhi–Fazilka line 236 Giddarbaha Fazilka 0 Indira Gandhi Canal NH 7 228 Faqar Sar Jand Wala Kharta 8 NH 9 Khui Khera 17 220 Malout Ghallu 22 213 Qabarwala Churhriwala Dhanna 27 205 Pakki Burj Mohar 33 198 Bahawal Basi NH 7 NH 62 NH 7 NH 354E 43/190 Abohar 182 Killanwali Punjab 176 Panj Kosi 170 Bakayanwala Punjab Rajasthan 166 Kotha Pakki 162 Hindumalkote 157 Orki 152 Fatuhi 147 Khat labana 143 Mohanpura Shri Ganganagar 137 Shri Ganganagar–Sadulpur line SH 7B SH 7B 126 Prithvirajpur SH 7B 113 Kesri Singhpur 102 Dalpat Singhpur 90 Shri Karanpur Anupgarh 56/78 81 Zorawar Pura Halt NH 911 70 Gajsinghpur Berore 47/69 56 Rai Singh Nagar Ramsinghpur 38/60 NH 911 Sri Vijaynagar 22/44 36 Masaniwala Kalyankot 13/35 31 Bugia Halt Raghunathgarh 6/28 25 Jaitsar 0/22 Sarupsar 17 Sardargarh 12 Sahuwala 5 Bhagwan Sar NH 62 SH 94 to Jodhpur–Bathinda line 0 Suratgarh to Jodhpur–Bathinda line Sources:Google Maps Firozpur Cantt Hanumangarh Express Suratgarh Anupgarh Passenger Suratgarh Shri Ganganagar Passenger Shri Ganganagar Bathinda Passenger

The corridor passes through the Desert Area of Rajasthan and runs with a stretch of 264 km with consists of two branch lines, the first branch line starts from Sarupsar Junction and ends at Anupgarh with a stretch of 56 km, whereas the second branch line starts from Abohar Junction and ends at Fazilka Junction with a stretch of 43 km.

History

The main railway line from Suratgarh Junction to Bathinda Junction via Shri Ganganagar was originally built by Bikaner State Railway company of Bikaner Princely State and Southern Punjab Railway of Punjab Province portion as metre-gauge line was constructed on different phases.

• The first phase, from Suratgarh Junction to Rai Singh Nagar was opened on 1 October 1925.
• The second phase, from Rai Singh Nagar to Kesrisinghpur was opened on 1 September 1927.
• The third phase, from Kesrisinghpur to Shri Ganganagar Junction was opened on 1 May 1926.
• The fourth phase, from Bathinda Junction to Hindumalkote (the portion of Delhi–Bathinda–Mcleodganj–Sammasatta line) was opened on 10 November 1897.^[1]
• The Fifth phase, from Hindumalkote to Shri Ganganagar Junction was opened on 1970.^[2]

Whereas, the branch line from Sarupsar Junction to Anupgarh which comes under the portion of Bikaner State Railway was opened on 30 March 1929.^[3]

After that, the conversion of main line into 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge was sanctioned in 1997–98,^[4] Which it was important for military purpose because this railway line also passes through nearest of International border of India, was opened in different sections.^[5]

• The first phase, between Shri Ganganagar and Sarupsar Junction was opened on 9 June 2012.^[6]
• The second phase, between Suratgarh and Anupgarh was opened on 25 July 2013.^[7]

After that, the new branch line between Abohar Junction and Fazilka was started construction on 2004 ^[8] for easier transport of nearby Indian International borders and after some years it was opened on 12 July 2012.^[9]

Trains Passing through this line

• Kochuveli–Shri Ganganagar Junction Express
• Bikaner–Delhi Sarai Rohilla Superfast Express
• Hazur Sahib Nanded–Shri Ganganagar Weekly Express
• Firozpur Cantonment–Shri Ganganagar Express

References

1. "Indian Railways history". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
2. "Hindumalkot Railway station in Sri ganganagar district". Patrika.
3. "Administration report on Indian Railways 1939" (PDF). Retrieved 25 July 2021.
4. "Achievement of Construction Department during year 2016-17". India Rail Info. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
5. "COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS NINTH REPORT" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
6. "Broad gauge track at Sriganganagar". Times of India. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
7. "Suratgarh Anupgarh Passenger Inauguration" (PDF). North Western Railways. Government of India. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
8. "Nitish lays Fazilka-Abohar line foundation". Times of India. 2 February 2004.
9. "Abohar Fazilka rail line to be operational soon". Times of India. 11 July 2012.