The Union Government has approved the final location survey for a 96-kilometre rail line connecting Marwar Bagra, Sirohi, and Swaroopganj. This long-awaited infrastructure intervention promises to plug Sirohi—one of Rajasthan’s last unconnected districts—into the national railway grid, creating new economic, social and environmental opportunities for over a million people.
Strategically located near the Delhi-Ajmer-Abu Road-Ahmedabad corridor, Sirohi has long remained outside the formal rail network, impacting trade, mobility, and regional integration. With the green signal to this project, a long-standing infrastructural gap in the tribal-dominated region of South Rajasthan is finally being addressed. This move is expected to catalyse economic mobility while promoting equitable development in an underserved district. The proposed 96-kilometre rail stretch will link Marwar Bagra on the existing Samdari-Bhildi-Gandhidham route to Swaroopganj via Sirohi, thus giving the district its first formal rail presence. This aligns with India’s national infrastructure agenda, which prioritises last-mile connectivity, inclusive development, and reduced carbon emissions through rail-based logistics.
For Sirohi, the benefits go beyond transportation. The project is poised to transform the district’s economic geography by unlocking new market linkages for local industries—particularly marble, granite, cement, and agricultural produce. The enhanced mobility will also foster social inclusion, especially in areas such as Pindwara, Shivganj, Mandar, Rewadar, and Jawal, which have remained logistically isolated for decades. Local communities, especially youth and women, stand to gain from increased access to jobs, education, and healthcare. With enhanced rail connectivity to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, regional migration for employment could reduce, boosting sustainable local livelihoods. In this context, the rail line is not merely a transportation corridor, but a lever for socio-economic equity.
From a strategic standpoint, the rail link will also support national security and freight movement in India’s border-adjacent zones. By enhancing the region’s logistical capacity, the line is expected to ease transport to and from areas such as Munabao and connect more efficiently with the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. This transition to rail logistics is not only cost-effective but also environmentally responsible, reducing road congestion and lowering carbon emissions. For Rajasthan, this is yet another stride towards a low-carbon, interlinked future. The focus on railway infrastructure, particularly in backward regions, is increasingly seen as a sustainable alternative to road-heavy development models. It aligns with India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions, with railway electrification and modal shift playing pivotal roles.
While challenges around land acquisition and environmental assessments remain, the strategic intent behind the project is clear. This rail line offers more than just connectivity—it signals a commitment to inclusive urbanisation, gender-neutral mobility, and climate-resilient infrastructure. For Sirohi and its surrounding towns, it may mark the beginning of a new chapter in development, dignity, and decentralisation.
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