Rajasthan: Dungarpur-Ratlam rail project gains pace with 646 hectares acquired
Jaipur, Aug 7
The 189‑km Ratlam‑Banswara‑Dungarpur new railway line project, sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 2,083 crore, is progressing with 646 hectares of land acquired out of the 1,736 hectares required, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Friday.
The project is being executed on a 50:50 cost‑sharing basis between the Ministry of Railways and the Rajasthan Government, with the state responsible for providing land free of cost. An expenditure of Rs 243 crore had been incurred on the project till March 2026, the Minister said.
To further strengthen rail connectivity in the Banswara region, the Railways has also sanctioned a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 380‑km Nimach‑Banswara‑Dahod‑Alirajpur‑Nandurbar new railway line. The project will be considered for sanction after completion of the DPR and consultations with stakeholders, including the concerned state governments, NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance.
Vaishnaw said Rajasthan has witnessed a significant increase in railway infrastructure investment in recent years. The state's railway budget allocation has risen from an average of Rs 682 crore annually during 2009‑14 to Rs 10,228 crore in 2026‑27, nearly 15 times higher. Railway track commissioning has also accelerated, with 3,886 km of new track commissioned between 2014 and 2026, averaging 324 km per year, compared with 798 km at an average of 160 km annually during 2009‑14.
As of April 1, 2026, a total of 32 railway infrastructure projects, including 15 new lines, five gauge conversion projects and 12 doubling projects, covering 3,447 km and involving an investment of Rs 47,498 crore, are under implementation in Rajasthan. Of these, 1,322 km have been commissioned, and Rs 23,245 crore has been spent up to March 2026.
The Minister said several railway projects have recently been completed in Rajasthan, including the Bina‑Kota doubling, Dausa‑Gangapur City doubling, Phulera‑Degana doubling, Alwar‑Bandikui doubling and Jaipur‑Churu gauge conversion.
Major ongoing projects include the Pushkar‑Merta, Taranga Hill‑Abu Road, Ramganjmandi‑Bhopal, Sawai Madhopur‑Jaipur doubling, Luni‑Bhildi doubling and the Nagda‑Mathura third and fourth line projects.
Vaishnaw noted that the timely completion of railway projects depends on factors such as land acquisition, forest and statutory clearances, shifting of utilities, geological conditions, law and order and the working season available at project sites.
The information was provided by Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, tribal areas of Banswara and Dungarpur will get better rail connectivity. These regions have been neglected for decades. The new Nimach-Banswara-Dahod line will also boost trade with Gujarat. But Rs 2,083 crore for just 189 km seems steep - hope the cost-benefit analysis is being done properly.
The 15x increase in budget allocation for Rajasthan railways from Rs 682 crore to Rs 10,228 crore is impressive. But let's be honest - infrastructure projects in India often suffer from delays due to red tape. The minister mentioned law and order issues and working season constraints - these are known problems for years. Need better project management!
Living in Banswara, I can tell you how much we need this rail line. Currently, we have to travel 100+ km to reach the nearest major station. The tourism potential of Dungarpur's ancient temples will also benefit. Please speed up the work, but also ensure farmers get fair compensation for their land! 🚆
Good news for Rajasthan's rail network. The data shows 3,886 km commissioned between 2014-26 vs just 798 km in 2009-14 - that's a massive improvement. But I wonder about the maintenance of these new lines. Also, the DPR for the 380-km Nimach-Banswara line will take time - typical bureaucracy. Still, better late than never.
As someone who travels Jaipur-Dungarpur frequently for work, this project is a game-changer! Currently, it takes 8+
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