Kutch: In a move to strengthen railway connectivity in the border areas of Gujarat, a survey has been conducted for laying new railway lines between Deshalpar–Hajipir and Vayor–Lakhpat in the Kutch region. The proposed lines are expected to boost connectivity and support development in the desert and border areas of the state, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament.

The Union Cabinet, in August 2025, approved the construction of a new railway line connecting Deshalpar–Hajipir–Luna and Vayor–Lakhpat. The project, estimated to cost ₹2,526 crore, will add 145 route km and 164 track km to the existing railway network and is targeted for completion within three years.

The new line is expected to provide vital connectivity to remote areas of the Kutch region, benefiting around 16 lakh people across 866 villages. The project includes the development of 13 new railway stations, bringing large parts of western Kutch onto the railway map for the first time.

Furthermore, the Union Minister also shared the progress of the Ahmedabad–Mumbai Bullet Train project, stating that major civil work on the high-speed rail corridor has advanced significantly. About 435 km of foundation work and around 338 km of pier work have been completed so far. In addition, nearly 168 km of track laying has also been completed under the project.

The minister informed that work on several stations, including Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), is in the final stage. Construction is also progressing rapidly in the Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Nadiad, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati sections.

He added that construction of the country’s first under-sea railway tunnel, which is part of the bullet train project, is currently in full swing. DeshGujarat