Indian Railways has given final administrative approval for a major infrastructure upgrade of the strategically and spiritually significant Raika Bagh to Jaisalmer rail section under the Jodhpur Division of North Western Railway. The comprehensive track renewal project spans a total length of 291 kilometers and carries an estimated investment of ₹713 crore. With formal administrative sanctions now in place, the ground-level execution of this ambitious initiative is set to begin. Under the modernization plan, aging tracks across the route will be systematically replaced with modern, heavy-duty rail infrastructure to ensure safer, faster, and smoother train operations along this crucial corridor.
Phased Execution Plan Across the 291 km Corridor
Providing details of the initiative, Anurag Tripathi, Division Railway Manager (DRM) of the Jodhpur Division, stated that the renewal work along the 291-kilometer rail line will be executed in three systematic phases. According to the project blueprint, a total of 268 kilometers of track will undergo complete rail replacement. Meanwhile, on a specific 23-kilometer section, worn-out sleepers underneath the rails will be replaced with new, durable sleepers. Alongside track and sleeper upgrades, other critical structural components of the railway track will also be modernized to significantly enhance the overall load-bearing capacity and resilience of the network.
Detailed Breakdown of the Three Project Phases
The operational roadmap divides the track renewal into three distinct segments. In the first phase, complete rail replacement will take place along the 160-kilometer stretch extending from Raika Bagh to Marwar Bithri (marking chainage 0 to 160 km). The second phase targets the 23-kilometer segment between chainage 160 km and 183 km, focusing primarily on replacing aging sleepers under the existing rails. The third phase covers the remaining 108-kilometer stretch from chainage 183 km to 291 km, executing a total replacement of the rail line. Through these three structured stages, the entire 291-kilometer route connecting Raika Bagh to Jaisalmer will be completely rehabilitated.
Tendering Progress and Current Operational Status
To expedite project implementation, the North Western Railway has already floated tenders for the first 160-kilometer stretch between Raika Bagh and Marwar Bithri, with the bidding process currently underway. Tenders for the remaining sections will be issued shortly in accordance with standard government procurement procedures. Railway officials indicated that physical work on the ground will commence rapidly following the completion of tendering routines, ensuring that the infrastructure upgrade is completed within stipulated timelines.
Boosting Strategic Security, Regional Tourism, and Economic Growth
The Jaisalmer border belt holds immense strategic importance for national defense logistics, while simultaneously attracting millions of domestic and international tourists and spiritual pilgrims every year. Modernizing this rail line will reduce structural stress on the tracks, permit higher operating speeds, and expand section capacity to handle growing passenger and freight transport demands in the coming years. Furthermore, seamless rail transport is vital for swift military movement near the international border. Beyond defense benefits, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to catalyze trade, job creation, and tourism development across western Rajasthan.
