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{{Infobox rail line
| name= Suratgarh–Bathinda line with Anupgarh and Fazilka–Abohar branch lines
| image=
| caption =
| system=
| status= Operational
| locale= [[Rajasthan]] and [[Punjab]]
| start= {{stnlnk|Suratgarh Junction}}
| end= {{stnlnk|Bathinda Junction}}
| stations=
| open = 1970 (Main line) 30 March 1929 (Anupgarh branch) 17 July 2012 (Fazilka branch)
| close=
| owner= [[Indian Railways]]
| operator= [[North Western Railway zone|North Western Railway]] [[Northern Railway zone|Northern Railway]]
| linelength= Main line {{convert|264|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Branch lines: Fazilka–Abohar {{convert|43|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} Sarupsar–Anupgarh {{convert|56|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
| tracks=
| electrification =
| gauge= {{RailGauge|1676mm}} [[Broad Gauge]]
| old_gauge= {{track gauge|1000mm}} [[Metre-gauge railway|Metre gauge]]
| speed=100 km/h
| elevation =
| map = {{Suratgarh–Bathinda line}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}

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, India|Punjab]].

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 {{stnlnk|Sarupsar Junction}} and ends at {{stnlnk|Anupgarh}} with a stretch of 56 km, whereas the second branch line starts from {{stnlnk|Abohar Junction}} and ends at {{stnlnk|Fazilka Junction}} with a stretch of 43 km.

==History==
The main railway line from {{stnlnk|Suratgarh Junction}} to {{stnlnk|Bathinda Junction}} via {{stnlnk|Shri Ganganagar Junction||Shri Ganganagar}} was originally built by [[Bikaner State Railway]] company of [[Bikaner State|Bikaner Princely State]] and [[Southern Punjab Railway]] of [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]] portion as [[Metre-gauge railway|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 {{stnlnk|Hindumalkote}} (the portion of Delhi–Bathinda–Mcleodganj–Sammasatta line) was opened on 10 November 1897.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://ia801605.us.archive.org/30/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.36650/2015.36650.India-Railway-Board-History-Of-Indian-Railways-Constructed-And-In-Progress.pdf|title= Indian Railways history |access-date=2012-11-06}}</ref>
* The Fifth phase, from Hindumalkote to Shri Ganganagar Junction was opened on 1970.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.patrika.com/sri-ganganagar-news/hindumalkot-railway-station-in-sri-ganganagar-1-3471381/|title=Hindumalkot Railway station in Sri ganganagar district|publisher=Patrika}}</ref>

Whereas, the branch line from Sarupsar Junction to Anupgarh which comes under the portion of Bikaner State Railway was opened on 30 March 1929.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18163/GIPE-017498.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y|title=Administration report on Indian Railways 1939|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref>

After that, the conversion of main line into {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] was sanctioned in 1997–98,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://st.indiarailinfo.com/kjfdsuiemjvcya22/0/1/9/2/2129192/0/1484549648267achivements61712.docx|title=Achievement of Construction Department during year 2016-17|publisher=India Rail Info|access-date = 3 July 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/64450/1/15_Petitions_9.pdf | title = COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS NINTH REPORT | publisher = Government of India | access-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-date = 9 January 2021 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

* The first phase, between Shri Ganganagar and Sarupsar Junction was opened on 9 June 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/broad-gauge-track-at-sriganganagar/articleshow/13942691.cms |title = Broad gauge track at Sriganganagar |publisher= Times of India | access-date = 17 May 2021}}</ref>
* The second phase, between Suratgarh and Anupgarh was opened on 25 July 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://nwr.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/files/1374584731883-pr%20230713-1.pdf |title = Suratgarh Anupgarh Passenger Inauguration | work= North Western Railways |publisher= Government of India| access-date = 17 May 2021}}</ref>

After that, the new branch line between {{stnlnk|Abohar Junction}} and Fazilka was started construction on 2004 <ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/nitish-lays-fazilka-abohar-line-foundation/articleshow/469085.cms| title=Nitish lays Fazilka-Abohar line foundation| publisher=Times of India| date=2 February 2004}}</ref> for easier transport of nearby Indian International borders and after some years it was opened on 12 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/abohar-fazilka-rail-line-to-be-operational-soon/articleshow/14815224.cms| title=Abohar Fazilka rail line to be operational soon| publisher=Times of India| date=11 July 2012}}</ref>

==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==
{{reflist}}

{{Railways in Northern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Suratgarh-Bathinda line}}
[[Category:5 ft 6 in gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:Bikaner railway division]]
[[Category:Ambala railway division]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Punjab, India]]

Suratgarh–Bathinda line - Revision history

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