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Suratgarh–Bathinda line
with Anupgarh and Fazilka–Abohar branch lines
Suratgarh–Bathinda line; with Anupgarh and Fazilka–Abohar branch lines
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Indian Railways
Locale	Rajasthan and Punjab
Termini	Suratgarh Junction; Bathinda Junction;
Service
Operator(s)	North Western Railway ; Northern Railway
History
Opened	1970 (Main line) ; 30 March 1929 (Anupgarh branch) ; 17 July 2012 (Fazilka branch)
Technical
Line length	Main line 264 km (164 mi) ; Branch lines: ; Fazilka–Abohar 43 km (27 mi) ; Sarupsar–Anupgarh 56 km (35 mi)
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad Gauge
Old gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Metre gauge
Electrification	Yes
Operating speed	100 km/h
Route map
Route map
	Legend
	Punjab
	Rajasthan
	Sources:Google Maps; Firozpur Cantt Hanumangarh Express; Suratgarh Anupgarh Passenger; Suratgarh Shri Ganganagar Passenger; Shri Ganganagar Bathinda Passenger

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.

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

History

The main railway line from Suratgarh Junction to Bathinda Junction via Shri Ganganagar was originally built by Bikaner State Railway company of Bikaner Princely State and Southern Punjab Railway of Punjab Province portion as 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 Hindumalkote (the portion of Delhi–Bathinda–Mcleodganj–Sammasatta line) was opened on 10 November 1897.^[1]
The Fifth phase, from Hindumalkote to Shri Ganganagar Junction was opened on 1970.^[2]

Whereas, the branch line from Sarupsar Junction to Anupgarh which comes under the portion of Bikaner State Railway was opened on 30 March 1929.^[3]

After that, the conversion of main line into 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge was sanctioned in 1997–98,^[4] 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.^[5]

The first phase, between Shri Ganganagar and Sarupsar Junction was opened on 9 June 2012.^[6]
The second phase, between Suratgarh and Anupgarh was opened on 25 July 2013.^[7]

After that, the new branch line between Abohar Junction and Fazilka was started construction on 2004 ^[8] for easier transport of nearby Indian International borders and after some years it was opened on 12 July 2012.^[9]