Khatu Shyam Sundrapura Railway Station to Drive Pilgrimage, Jobs and Rural Growth

Abhishek Byhaut
New Delhi:

The proposed Khatu Shyam Sundrapura Railway Station in Rajasthan’s Sikar district is poised to become a landmark project that will not only improve rail connectivity to the famous Khatu Shyam Temple but also transform the economic and social landscape of the surrounding villages.

The project is being viewed as a major boost to religious tourism, employment generation and rural development.

Situated closer to the temple than the existing Ringas Junction, the new station will significantly reduce the road journey for the lakhs of devotees who visit Khatu Shyam Ji every year. During the annual Phalguna Mela, when millions of pilgrims arrive at the shrine, the station is expected to ease travel and improve passenger convenience.

According to the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Western Railway, preparations for the project are progressing rapidly. “The design and Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Khatu Shyam Sundrapura Railway Station are progressing at a fast pace. We expect foundation excavation work to begin within the next six months. The station’s exterior will be designed on the architectural theme of the Khatu Shyam Temple, giving it a unique religious identity. Once the foundation work is completed, construction will gather momentum and a modern railway station equipped with all passenger amenities is expected to be completed within the next two years,” CPRO Amit Sudarshan said.

The station is part of the proposed Khatu Shyamji–Salasar–Sujangarh New Railway Line Project, which continues to make steady progress.

Providing an update, the CPRO said the Railway Board approved the Final Location Survey (FLS) on February 21, 2024. “Following detailed technical evaluation, the final alignment has been approved. Drone surveys and site feasibility studies have been successfully completed. As per the approved alignment, nine railway stations have been proposed—Khatu Shyamji, Madni, Palsana, Rashidpur Khori, Hapas, Sola, Salasar Balaji, Lodhasar and Sujangarh. The project’s L-Section has also received in-principle approval. Based on the approved alignment and concept plan, the consultant has submitted the project estimate, while cost estimates for Signalling &
Telecommunication (S&T) and Traction Distribution (TRD) are being prepared. Survey work, alignment finalisation, station planning and preliminary technical approvals are progressing in a time-bound manner, taking the project towards its next stage,” the official added.

The announcement has created widespread enthusiasm in Sundrapura and neighbouring villages, where residents see the railway station as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Manoj Kumar Jangir, Sarpanch Representative of Sundrapura village, said the project has brought a wave of happiness among villagers. “The announcement of the Khatu Shyam Sundrapura Railway Station has brought immense joy to every household in our village. This is not just a railway station but the beginning of a new chapter in our region’s development. Sundrapura will now be known across the country as the gateway to Baba Khatu Shyam. The project will create employment opportunities for local youth through hotels, guest houses, restaurants, transport services and other businesses. It will also give us the privilege of serving the lakhs of devotees who visit Baba Khatu Shyam every year,” Manoj Kumar Jangir said.

“We have already started planning to develop a five-hectare garden on Gram Panchayat land to beautify the area and ensure that pilgrims receive a warm welcome. We are confident that this project will accelerate the development of Sundrapura and neighbouring villages, create new opportunities for local people, and improve the lives of future generations,” Jangir said.

Local residents believe the station will attract visitors throughout the year, leading to the growth of hotels, dharamshalas, restaurants, retail outlets and transport services. The increased tourist footfall is also expected to benefit farmers, artisans and small traders while creating new livelihood opportunities for local youth.

Besides improving railway connectivity, the project is expected to trigger broader infrastructure development, including better roads, public amenities and commercial activity. Community members are planning beautification initiatives, including gardens and green spaces, to create a welcoming environment for pilgrims.

Once completed, the Khatu Shyam Sundrapura Railway Station is expected to emerge as a major gateway to one of India’s most visited pilgrimage destinations while driving tourism-led economic growth and ushering in a new phase of development across Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region.